LIHUE — A Kapaa man with a history of offenses was sentenced to five years in jail Tuesday for two cases on amended firearm charges. Isaac Josiah, 31, appeared before Fifth Circuit Court Chief Judge Randal Valenciano with defense attorney
LIHUE — A Kapaa man with a history of offenses was sentenced to five years in jail Tuesday for two cases on amended firearm charges.
Isaac Josiah, 31, appeared before Fifth Circuit Court Chief Judge Randal Valenciano with defense attorney Emmanuel Guerrero for a hearing on a motion to suppress evidence and a motion to dismiss another case due to lack of evidence.
Instead, Guerrero told the court Josiah was “ready to move forward with his life” and withdrew the motions before the court.
“He’s going to try to do what is necessary,” Guerrero said before Josiah was sentenced. “His goal is to come back and this time be a contributing member of the community. This is a reasonable and fair solution.”
Josiah was charged with five counts of possession of firearms and resisting arrest. He pleaded no contest on all six counts. He was also charged in another case with two counts of possession of firearms.
The extended term of imprisonment for both cases could be 70 years with no mandatory minimum, Valenciano said.
With the plea, Josiah agreed to an open term of five years for five counts of firearm charges and one year for resisting arrest. He also agreed to five years for the other two counts of possession of firearms. The sentences would run concurrently.
“I had emotional problems which I recognize now, which I’m going to classes for,” Josiah said. “I’m gathering tools to help me in the future.”
Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar said the sentence was justifiable due Josiah’s criminal record.
“The defendant’s lengthy record of criminality and dangerous conduct make prison the only possible sentence to adequately safeguard the community,” he said.
In 2014, Kauai Police Department’s Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team arrested Josiah, who was considered a wanted fugitive, at his home with firearms in his possession, according to a county release.
The former mixed-martial art fighter has a criminal record dating back to 2006. He was convicted of felony drug charges and gun charges in 2012. He has more than a handful of criminal cases under his belt, including charges for drug promotion and drug paraphernalia, according to court records.
In 2010, he was considered one of Kauai’s most wanted persons, according to a county release.
