Routine traffic stop results in slew of firearms, drug, other offenses against Hilo man

A routine traffic stop and subsequent execution of a search warrant led to the arrest of a Big Island man on a slew of firearms, drug and other charges earlier this week.

Godfrey Paul Leopoldino of Hilo was arrested and charged July 30 with:

• 3 counts of place to keep ammunition.
• 2 counts of ownership or possession prohibited.
• Driving while license suspended or revoked.
• Possessing a loaded firearm on public highways.
• Place to keep loaded firearm not pistols/revolvers.
• Second-degree promoting a dangerous drug.
• Third-degree promoting a dangerous drug.

The 41-year-old’s bail was set at $197,000, which he was unable to post. Leopoldino made his initial court appearance on Thursday in South Hilo District Court. His bail was maintained and it was determined there was probable cause for his further detention based on several of the charges against him.

A preliminary hearing in the case was set for 2 p.m. Aug. 5 in South Hilo District Court.

On Wednesday afternoon, July 31, at 1:00 p.m., Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives charged Leopoldino with the following offenses, after conferral with the Hawai’i County Prosecutors Office:

The charges stem from an early morning traffic stop July 30 conducted by South Hilo patrol officers on a pick-up truck being driven by Leopoldino in the area of Kanoelehua Avenue and Leilani Street in Hilo.

During the stop, officers saw a brown lever-action rifle in the truck’s bed. Leopoldino was arrested, and during a search of his person, two live ammunition rounds also were recovered from his shorts pockets.

He was transported to the East Hawai’i Detention Facility in Hilo. Detectives continued to investigate.

Leopoldino’s pick-up truck was towed to the South Hilo District police station evidence warehouse, where it was secured pending the execution of a search warrant.

Upon the execution of the search warrant the afternoon of July 31, detectives recovered two functioning rifles, live ammunition in various calibers, more than 11 grams of methamphetamine, a methamphetamine smoking-pipe and $589.

Anyone who might have information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Kimo Keliipaakaua with the Hawai’i Police Department Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 808-961-2375 or via email at kimo.keliipaakaua@hawaiicounty.gov.