Hawai’i Island Residents Sentenced in Federal Drug Case

A Waimea woman and Puna woman were sentenced to federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.

On Friday, Nov. 26, the Hawai’i County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced 43-year-old Billie Jack Peridot, aka “BJ” Kawelo of Puna, was sentenced to 60 months and 45-year-old Malia Broome of Waimea was sentenced to 48 months for conspiracy to distribute and possess 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The pair were also ordered to be on five years of supervision following their release from prison.

Prior to sentencing, which took place on Nov. 18, 2021, Kawelo and Broome remained free for the duration of court proceedings. They were ordered to surrender themselves to federal authorities. Broome will turn herself in Dec. 30. Kawelo is scheduled to turn herself in Jan. 6, 2022.

The conspiracy charges stem from an incident that took place between April 1 and May 27, 2020.

Earlier this month, Maximillian Oleksiak, 46, of Puna was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison for his involvement in the case.

The case was initiated after Hawai‘i Police Department Area II VICE Section officers contacted Kawelo, Broome and Oleksiak in the Kona Coast Shopping Center parking lot May 27, 2020. A subsequent search of Broome’s Cadillac sedan resulted in the recovery of approximately 2 pounds of methamphetamine.

“Our office will continue to promote and encourage coordination between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to hold drug dealers accountable and prioritize the prosecution of the distribution of methamphetamine in our community,” said Waltjen. “These investigations and prosecution were the result of a combined effort by members of the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I and II VICE Sections, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Hawai‘i County prosecutors and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

Anyone with information about illegal narcotics distribution should call the HPD Vice Section in East Hawai‘i at 808-961-2258 or in West Hawai‘i at 808-326-4646, extension 226, or Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.