Kona Man Gets 25-Year Sentence on Meth Conviction
A 42-year-old Kona man convicted in March of federal drug charges was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison.
Uiki Teaupa had faced a sentenced of 10 years to life in federal prison after his conviction of drug conspiracy and distribution involving more than 50 grams of meth.
During his sentencing in Honolulu, US District Judge J. Michael Seabright told Uiki Teaupa had a “troubling criminal history.” Evidence produced in court had shown that Teaupa made at least eight trips to the mainland between 2009 and 2012 during which he brought back more than 20 pounds of methamphetamine.
Prosecutors said Teaupu brought the drug to the Big Island where it was distributed by others.
On Monday, Seabright also told Teaupa that he had made a “mockery of the judicial system” by lying during testimony at his trial and another hearing.
Teaupa’s indictment was the product of a two-year investigation conducted by the FBI and Hawaii Police Department.