Hilo man charged with drug, firearms offenses after terrorist threatening incident

A 22-year-old Hilo man faces several charges following a terroristic threatening incident June 1 involving a firearm outside a residence on Ho‘omalu Street in Hilo.

Daryl C. Sampaga Jr. was arrested and charged after the incident and execution of search warrants, during which Big Island police recovered more than 420 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a semi-automatic Ruger LCP .380-caliber pistol.

Sampaga is charged with:

• First-degree promoting a dangerous drug.
• First-degree attempted promoting a dangerous drug.
• First-degree terroristic threatening.
• Ownership or possession of a firearm prohibited.
• Ownership or possession of ammunition prohibited.
• Place to keep pistol or revolver.
• Alteration of identification marks prohibited.

Sampaga made his initial appearance Monday in Hilo District Court.

His bail was maintained at $390,000 and he was ordered to appear Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.

First-degree promoting a dangerous drug and first-degree attempted promoting a dangerous drug, the most serious offenses Sampaga faces, are Class A felonies each punishable by either up to 20 years in prison or 10 years probation and up to 24 months in jail.

Hawai‘i County prosecutors provided notice to the court that if he is convicted as a charged, Sampaga faces sentencing to a mandatory prison term and will not be eligible for probation.