3 Big Island Men Face Federal Charges in Separate Indictments

Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced Tuesday, Feb. 22, the separate federal indictments of three Big Island men.

Ocean View man indicted on drug, firearms charges

According to a press release from the prosecuting attorney’s office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Hawai‘i, adopted the prosecution of 35-year-old Jeremy John Jensen of Ocean View, who was previously charged by Hawai‘i County prosecutors following his Oct. 12, 2021, arrest for the attempted distribution of more than 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin possession and being a felon in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun.

As the federal indictment alleges, Jensen, who has a prior felony conviction in Hawai‘i, was charged with possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a detectable amount of heroin, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

On Jan. 18, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Rom Trader ordered Jensen be detained without bail pending his jury trial, which is scheduled for July 25.

The initial investigation was handled by Hawai‘i Police Department Officer Stephen Kishimoto with the assistance of canine Rory and members of the Area II Vice Section. The federal investigation is being handled by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Hudspeth.

Pa‘auilo man indicted on meth charges

Another press release from the county prosecutor’s office said the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Hawai‘i, adopted the prosecution of 44-year-old Timothy Nacis of Pa‘auilo, who was previously charged by Hawai‘i County prosecutors following his Jan. 3 arrest for the attempted possession and distribution of more than 5 pounds of methamphetamine and damaging a police subsidized vehicle. As the federal indictment alleges, Nacis was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess and attempted possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

On Feb. 14, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Wes Reber Porter ordered Nacis be released on a $50,000 bond with special conditions. His jury trial is scheduled for April 11.

The investigation was a collaboration between local and federal agencies, including HPD’s Area I Vice Section and Area I Special Enforcement Units. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mohammad Khatib.

Kona man indicted drug, firearms charges, including fentanyl-related offenses

A third release from the county prosecutor’s office announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Hawai‘i, adopted the prosecution of 47-year-old Michael Kaonohi Perry of Kona, who was previously charged by Hawai‘i County prosecutors following his Jan. 5 arrest for possession and the attempted distribution of more than 3 pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills, being a felon in possession of a loaded handgun, possession of hydrocodone and counterfeit U.S. currency offenses.

As the federal indictment alleges, Perry, who has two prior Hawai‘i felony convictions, was charged with possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On Feb. 14, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Wes Reber Porter ordered Perry be detained without bail pending his jury trial, which is scheduled for April 11.

This case was initiated by HPD Sgt. Erich Jackson and Officer CC Melendez of the South Kohala Patrol. The follow-up investigation was handled by HPD Officer Adam Cho with the Area II Vice Section. The federal investigation is being handled by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Muehleck.