Kona Man Faces Mandatory Sentence for Meth Trafficking

A Kona man faces a mandatory prison sentence of at least six years and eight months in prison following his conviction for trafficking in methamphetamine.

Sentencing has been set for Nov. 16 for John Albert Wagner Jr. who was convicted last week in Third Circuit Court of that charge and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Vice officers armed with a search warrant searched Wagner’s Kailua-Kona home in December 2010. In his bedroom they found more than 45 grams of meth, scales and other paraphernalia and more than $11,700 in cash.

Five months earlier Wagner had been released from prison on parole for previous convictions for meth trafficking and promoting a dangerous drug.

Because more than an ounce of the drug was involved, the latest meth trafficking charge was in the first degree, which carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years. The paraphernalia charges each carry a maximum sentence of five years meaning Wagner faces a possible sentence of up to 30 years, plus any time he may face related to his earlier convictions, when he is sentenced by Judge Elizabeth Strance.

A second conviction for meth trafficking also carries a minimum sentence of between six years and eight months, and 13 years and four months.