LIHUE – Tyson Michio Yadao, 26, of Lihue, was sentenced to 10 years in prison Thursday for his role in a 2014 car theft committed after he escaped from a work furlough program. Fifth Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe handed down
LIHUE – Tyson Michio Yadao, 26, of Lihue, was sentenced to 10 years in prison Thursday for his role in a 2014 car theft committed after he escaped from a work furlough program.
Fifth Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe handed down the sentence after hearing arguments from Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Arin and defense attorneys Sam Jajich and Kai Lawrence.
The sentence, for charges of first-degree burglary, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and first-degree escape, carries a mandatory minimum sentence of six years and eight months and will run consecutively to the 10-year sentence Yadao is already serving.
On Aug. 5, 2014, Yadao was on house arrest status at a state Department of Public Safety furlough house on Kauai, when he tested positive for methamphetamines. Rather than comply with a correctional officer’s commands to return to Kauai Community Correctional Center, Yadao fled the facility and was at-large until his capture on Aug.18, 2014. During that time, Yadao stole a jeep and broke into a residence in Wailua.
Prosecuting Attorney Justin F. Kollar thanked investigators for their efforts in locating and apprehending Yadao.
“This defendant has shown a repeated disregard for the safety and well-being of the community and unfortunately a lengthy prison term is the only remedy left to protect our residents from this individual,” he said.
