Drugs and loaded semi-automatic rifle found during search of a stolen car in Kona; 1 man in custody

An Ocean View man is facing a myriad of firearm and drug charges after he was found in Kona in a reportedly stolen vehicle with drugs and a loaded semi-automatic rifle.

Hawai‘i Island police came into contact with the suspect, later identified as Daniel James Lemaire, 42, at 11:20 a.m. on Friday after they saw the vehicle exiting the parking lot in the 75-6000 block of Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona and conducted a traffic stop.

Lemaire was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. He was taken into custody and transported to the Kealakehe Police Station while Kona patrol officers continued their investigation and recovered the stolen vehicle.

A search of the car yielded the recovery of 51.53 grams of methamphetamine, 29.35 grams of marijuana, a loaded semi-automatic rifle, 12 rounds of ammunition and drug paraphernalia consistent with methamphetamine distribution.

After conferring with the Hawai‘i County Prosecutor’s Office, Lemaire was charged on Sunday morning with the following offenses:

• Unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle
• Permits to acquire
• First-degree theft
• Driving without a license
• 2 counts of ownership/possession prohibited
• Place to keep loaded firearm
• First-degree attempted promotion of a dangerous drug
• First-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
• Possession of a firearm with the intent to facilitate a felony drug offense
• Carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on a public highway
• Second-degree promotion of a detrimental drug
• Prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia

Lemaire remains in police custody in lieu of $288,250 bail. He is scheduled to appear for an initial hearing in Kona District Court today.

The 42-year-old pleaded guilty in June to third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug. The judge granted a four-year deferral on sentencing as Lemaire was meant to be referred to Big Island Drug Court.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Kona patrol officer Justin Uresti, via email at Justin.Uresti@hawaiicounty.gov, or the department’s non-emergency number at 808-935-3311.