LIHUE — A Lihue man was given probation and six months jail for a methamphetamine possession and driving without a license conviction. Robert Krieske, 49, was arrested Feb. 3 for two counts of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, two
LIHUE — A Lihue man was given probation and six months jail for a methamphetamine possession and driving without a license conviction.
Robert Krieske, 49, was arrested Feb. 3 for two counts of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, two counts of unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug and driving without a license. He changed his plea to guilty on the meth and driving without a license charges on March 18, with the remaining charges to be dismissed.
Judge Randal Valenciano said he agreed with the state’s assessment that the defendant’s offenses have an underlying problem with a substance abuse problem. He said the court was concerned with the decision to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jennifer Winn said the defendant has repeat drug charges and it is unclear from the pre-sentence report from probation just how much time he spent in jail for past convictions. She asked the court to sentence the defendant to probation, a substance abuse evaluation, a $500 fine and 14 days in jail.
Defense attorney Craig De Costa said the defendant is not giving any excuse for this or his prior convictions that occurred 27 and 19 years ago, respectively. He reminded the court that Krieske would need to deal with a warrant on a 2005 driving while intoxicated charge on the Big Island upon resolving this case.
De Costa asked the court to consider a four-year probation with credit for time already served in jail.
The court sentenced Krieske to four years probation for the felony third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug charge, and to a one-year probation for the driving without a license charge. The court also sentenced Krieske to six months in jail.
