LIHUE — A Kapaa man who was found to have drug paraphernalia and stolen merchandise in his pickup was sentenced to 90 days in jail and four years of probation on Thursday in 5th Circuit Court. Kevin Butch Martins, 33,
LIHUE — A Kapaa man who was found to have drug paraphernalia and stolen merchandise in his pickup was sentenced to 90 days in jail and four years of probation on Thursday in 5th Circuit Court.
Kevin Butch Martins, 33, was at Kealia Beach in his pickup with another passenger the evening of Nov. 26, 2013.
He reportedly left his truck to help someone who had run out of gas. When he returned, police officers investigating a burglary in Hanalei were around the vehicle, as they had information that it may have been used during a theft, according to State Deputy Public Defender John Calma.
Martins denied responsibility but then an iPhone rang in the vehicle that was found to be one of the stolen items.
Martins claimed he didn’t know where the phone came from and that it wasn’t there when he left the vehicle. At least one other person had access to the vehicle while he was gone, Calma said.
Police also found a pipe with residue of crystal methamphetamine in the vehicle. Martins claimed ownership of the illegal drug paraphernalia.
“I am sorry for what I did and take full responsibility,” Martins said in his statement to the court.
Chief Judge Randal Valenciano said that he doubted the version of a story where the blame is shifted to others. He said he would place the defendant with Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) for close supervision for high-risk offenders.
