A Hanapepe man was sentenced to nine months in jail and felony probation in three cases including theft of copper and methamphetamine possession Wednesday in 5th Circuit Court. Steven Nahalea Kapono Simao Jr., 36, was sentenced for theft of more
A Hanapepe man was sentenced to nine months in jail and felony probation in three cases including theft of copper and methamphetamine possession Wednesday in 5th Circuit Court.
Steven Nahalea Kapono Simao Jr., 36, was sentenced for theft of more than 80 pounds of copper from the Kekaha Agricultural Association, along with possessing burglar’s tools and firearms on Aug. 15, 2012. He was also sentenced to two consecutive six-month terms on charges of stealing Niihau shell leis and driving without a license. The sentences run concurrently, meaning they’ll all be served at the same time.
Simao must also complete a five-year probation under HOPE (Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement) for close supervision of high-risk offenders.
“I know I did wrong, your honor,” Simao said to Judge Kathleen Watanabe. “I just want to do right.”
Watanabe granted the defendant’s request to delay jail until today so he can be with his father who is undergoing surgery. She told Simao that he should have expected the jail sentence that was laid out when he pleaded no contest to the charges on April 8.
Count Second Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Vogt said Simao and an accomplice were taking copper from underneath a family plot at the KAA community garden. His truck contained the copper, tools and several firearms.
The court ordered Simao to forfeit a shotgun, two rifles and ammunition. He must also pay a $500 fine for driving without a license, and $300 in restitution for a remaining Niihau shell lei that was not recovered and returned to the owner.
