Coast Guard dismisses brig-bound officer
A Coast Guard officer was sentenced to three years in the brig and dismissed from the service Tuesday after being convicted at a court-martial for drug and other offenses.
Ensign Johnson C. Knox was found guilty of possession and distribution of multiple controlled substances, cruelty and maltreatment toward a subordinate, assault, absence without leave, failure to obey an order and dereliction of duty. A general court-martial was held Tuesday at the Coast Guard Courtroom in the Prince Kuhio Federal Building.
Knox served at the Coast Guard Base on Sand Island while awaiting court-martial. He was assigned to the Coast Guard cutter Kukui at the time of most of the offenses.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Officer charged in abuse case
A Hawaii County police sergeant was arrested and charged with four offenses in connection with an early morning domestic abuse incident Thursday in Kapaau.
Marvin Troutman, 62, was charged with abuse of a household member and three counts of terroristic threatening. His bail was set at $4,000.
Troutman, a sergeant in charge of the Kona traffic enforcement unit, has been placed on administrative leave while police initiate an internal investigation.
Police responded to a 1:50 a.m. call to a Kynnersley Road home, where it was reported that Troutman had pulled the hair of a 55-year-old woman and then threatened her and an 18-year-old man, police said.
Troutman also threatened a 44-year-old officer at the scene, police said.
Little fire ants invade again
WAILUKU >> Maui officials say infestations of little fire ants have been discovered in Huelo and on a single property in Haiku.
The Maui News reported Wednesday the discoveries are the fifth time the invasive species has evaded quarantine on Maui and the ninth infestation on the island since 2009.
Maui Invasive Species Committee manager Teya Penniman says the new infestations are another example that the ants are getting through quarantine measures despite the best efforts of officials.
The Huelo infestation involves as many as seven properties.
The state says the ant is considered among the world’s worst invasive species. Little fire ants, native to South America, can inflict painful stings and cause blindness in pets.
Star-Advertiser staff and Associated Press
