LIHUE — A Kapaa man convicted of drugs, firearms and abuse charges in a five-case plea deal was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday in 5th Circuit Court. Jesse Kaliko Rivera, 33, was sentenced to concurrent five year prison
LIHUE — A Kapaa man convicted of drugs, firearms and abuse charges in a five-case plea deal was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday in 5th Circuit Court.
Jesse Kaliko Rivera, 33, was sentenced to concurrent five year prison terms in four cases and one year for a misdemeanor charge. Concurrent means the sentences run at the same time.
Rivera apologized to the court and said treatment is now his priority and he is putting his kids first.
“I am trying my best and will continue to reach out for help and make the best of my time in jail,” said Rivera, who has been in custody at Kauai Community Correctional Center since a May arrest, and will have over six months credit for time he already served.
Chief Judge Randal Valenciano said that criminal history offered clarity for the court in issuing a prison sentence.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Murphy said the defendant’s prior criminal history gives the state no other option but to recommend the open prison term. He congratulated the defendant for acknowledging a drug dependency problem.
“Let the parole board determine the time and continue to monitor him after release,” Murphy said.
Rivera was represented by court appointed attorney Mark Zenger in three cases involving methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and possession of firearms ammunition. A fourth case involving first-degree burglary, unauthorized entry, unauthorized control, and second-degree theft is scheduled to be dismissed as part of the plea deal.
Zenger said that a drug addiction is the underlying issue in all the criminal matters before the court. He asked the court to consider that Rivera is now getting the help he needs.
State Public Defender Dena Renti Cruz represented Rivera in the fifth case. The sole misdemeanor matter involved an abuse of family or household member charge.
Renti Cruz said that Rivera has taken responsibility for his life and is now putting his family before himself. She said Rivera is taking attending addiction programs and enjoys working with younger drug offenders to help them turn their own lives around.
“This defendant chose his path in life, and it brought him to this point,” said County Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar. “It’s unfortunate that it took a prison sentence to bring home the fact that he needs to change; hopefully his time incarcerated will give him the tools he needs to be a productive part of society.”
