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Federal magistrate denies bail for accused Waikiki extortionist

Nelson Daranciang

When Honolulu police and the FBI arrested three men Monday for alleged extortion involving The Shack Waikiki restaurant, one of the suspects told the FBI, “It is perfectly acceptable to fight or get in a fight to settle a business dispute,” said federal prosecutor Thomas Brady.

Brady said Curtis Swanson, 44, also told FBI special agents, “If someone owes you money, they deserve whatever they get,” and that in a videotaped beating involving another suspect, Tory Winward, Swanson said he was there to back Winward up.

Based on Brady’s representations and Swanson’s criminal history, which includes convictions for drug promotion, firearm possess, probation violations and multiple contempts of court, U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard Puglisi ordered Swanson to remain in custody without the opportunity for bail pending the conclusion of his prosecution.

A bail hearing for Winward, 44, is scheduled for Thursday.

The third defendant, Jesse Yoshino, 30, will find out whether or not he will get an opportunity to post bail Friday.

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