Thomas “Tommy” Friel, a conservation law enforcement officer for nearly three decades, has been named the new chief of the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation Resources.

DLNR Chairwoman Suzanne Case said in a news release, “Enforcement of laws aimed at protecting our precious natural and cultural resources is one of the most important roles DLNR plays. To attract someone of Tommy’s stature and experience ensures a strong enforcement philosophy with fairness and balance.”

Friel’s work experience includes more than 28 years in state and federal law enforcement leadership roles. He served with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement, Pacific Island Division, for more than two decades.

Friel has served as supervisor of special agents, fisheries enforcement officers and office staff in Hawaii and around the Pacific.

Friel is a lifelong resident of Windward Oahu but has worked in enforcement operations around the world.

“My passion in protecting Hawaii’s natural resources stems from my commitment to creating a brighter tomorrow for our keiki and mo‘opuna,” Friel said in the release. His appointment takes effect Monday.

Hickam commissary recalls ground beef

Ground beef sold at the commissary on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam is being recalled because it could contain metal shavings.

The Hickam Commissary is recalling product labeled 81 percent and 93 percent lean ground beef with a packed date of Dec. 23 and a sell-by date of Dec. 24.

Customers who purchased the beef should return it to any military commissary for a full refund.

No other ground beef from the Hickam commissary or any other location is identified in the recall.

Customers with questions may call the Hickam Air Force Base Commissary at 449-1363 during business hours.

Maui man gets 10 years for assault

WAILUKU >> A Maui County man accused of having sex with a teenager and giving the girl methamphetamine has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Clifford Muller, 24, was sentenced Tuesday, The Maui News reported. He pleaded no contest to first-degree assault and promotion of a dangerous drug as part of a plea dealin which a sexual assault charge against him was dropped.

Muller, of Haiku, is charged with assaulting the girl between June and August 2014 when he was 23 and she was 15.

“As a 23-year-old this isn’t a case of boyfriend-girlfriend. This isn’t a case of consent,” said Deputy Prosecutor Kim Whitworth. “A child cannot understand the danger ofentering into a sexual relationship with someone. Both physical and emotional damage happened here.”

The girl had been living with her mother and her mother’s disabled partner at a homeless encampment at the time of the alleged abuse, said Whitworth.

“He knowingly provided her with methamphetamine, leading to her addiction,” Whitworth said. The girl was diagnosed with methamphetamine-induced psychosis and isseeing doctors for permanent brain damage from the drug, said Whitworth.

Deputy Public Defender Shelly Miyashiro said her client had been dealing with his own substance abuse problem “at the time of the offenses, and this did contribute to hispoor judgment.”

Muller believed he loved the girl and that they were a couple, Miyashiro said.

“But the law is clear,” she said. “She was 15 at the time.”