Former bakery manager pleads guilty to drug conspiracy
A former Anna Miller’s bakery manager was taken into federal custody Tuesday after pleading guilty to a drug conspiracy charge.
Pedro Cacalda pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess cocaine. He told U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson: “AD (an acquaintance) and I agreed to possess and distribute cocaine.”
Cacalda faces up to 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine when he is sentenced on Sept. 3.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Loo said that in May 2012, Cacalda arranged for a package containing about 1.1 pounds of cocaine to be delivered from Las Vegas to an associate’s address in Liliha. Investigators intercepted the package and spoke with Cacalda’s associate, who agreed to call Cacalda and arrange a meeting behind Anna Miller’s to complete the drug deal.
On May 31, 2012, investigators arrested Cacalda at the Aiea restaurant where he had worked for more than 20 years.
After Cacalda pleaded guilty, Watson ordered him immediately into custody.
Howard Luke, Cacalda’s attorney, asked Watson to allow Cacalda, who has been free on $50,000 bond, to remain free until his sentencing because he is the primary caretaker of his 4-year-old son and 5-month-old twin daughters.
But Watson declined because of the seriousness of the crime.