Man faces life term for smuggling meth
A federal court jury Friday found a Kapolei man guilty of smuggling methamphetamine to Hawaii from California, the U.S. attorney’s office said in a news release.
The jury found Ernesto Hernandez guilty of conspiring to distribute and possess, with intent to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He faces up to life in prison with a mandatory minimum 10-year prison term when he is sentenced April 28.
Prosecutors said Hernandez conspired with others to ship 213 grams of pure methamphetamine to Honolulu in early May 2013. The shipment was intercepted by FedEx security at the Honolulu Airport on May 7, and DEA agents executed a search warrant on the Kapolei home of Hernandez on May 8.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Missing woman ID’d in accident
Jean Kini Chang has been identified as the victim of a fatal accident after her 2005 BMW was found at the bottom of a ravine on Maui.
Chang, 59, was reported missing Dec. 19, and her car was found Jan. 4 at about 1:30 p.m. in a ravine off Kahekili Highway at Mile Marker 10. She had last been seen at her South Maui home.
In a missing-person alert, police said Chang may have been suffering from an illness requiring medical attention and driving her white 2005 BMW Z4 sport coupe convertible.
The cause of death has not been determined.
Victim mum on knife attack
Kauai police are investigating a stabbing reported by a 47-year-old Kapaa man who refuses to identify his assailant or any eyewitnesses.
Police said the alleged attack occurred behind Anchor Cove Shopping Center in Nawiliwili at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
The victim was treated at Wilcox Hospital for a puncture wound on his right arm and released.
