Kona teens arrested in connection to firearm incident now facing drug charges

Two of the three Kona teenagers arrested in connection with a firearm incident earlier this week are now facing drug offenses.

Charges stem from an incident that occurred on March 3 outside a residence, situated near a school and adjacent residential neighborhood, on the 75-5000 block of Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway. According to a news release from Hawai‘i Island police, officers received a report of gunshots at 1:36 p.m. heard coming from the residence.

When officers arrived on scene, they found three adult males, later identified as Austin Erickson, Eli Madrigal, and Joshua Ochoa, all 18 years old. A preliminary investigation indicated that firearms had been discharged outside the residence, possibly as part of target practice or similar recreational shooting.

During the investigation, officers searched the residence and recovered two handguns and one shotgun. Both handguns had no serial numbers (commonly known as ghost guns), and the shotgun was not registered to any of the three individuals.

Officers also located a container holding a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine, three small zip packets containing a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine, $43,000 in cash, numerous small plastic zip-packets, and a small digital scale.

Erickson was charged with the following offenses:

• Second-degree reckless endangering
• Alteration of identification marks prohibited
• Manufacturing, purchasing, or obtaining firearm parts to assemble a firearm having no serial number marks prohibited
• Second-degree promoting a dangerous drug
• First-degree promoting a dangerous drug
• Second-degree promoting a detrimental drug
• Three counts of registration mandatory
• Three counts of permit to acquire firearms

Erickson’s total bail was set at $78,000. However, Kona District Court Judge Kimberly Tsuchiya granted him supervised release during his initial appearance on Thursday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 20.

Madrigal was charged with second-degree reckless endangering with bail set at $1,000. There are no updates on Madrigal’s case in eCourt Kokua.

Ochoa was charged with second-degree reckless endangering and fourth-degree promoting a harmful drug. His bail was set at $2,000.

Ochoa was also granted supervised release and has a court hearing scheduled on April 20.

At this time, police have determined there is no active threat to the school or surrounding community. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Aaron Tanaka of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at 808-326-4646 ext. 228, or via email at aaron.tanaka@hawaiipolice.gov.