2 men involved with accused Miske crime ring may be released on $50k bond

A federal judge ruled two men accused of being part of an organized crime ring allegedly led by Oahu businessman Michael Miske Jr. may be released on a $50,000 bond each.

Detention hearings were held Tuesday for Preston M. Kimoto and Hunter J. Wilson, two of 11 men indicted by a federal grand jury as part of a years-long racketeering investigation.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth Mansfield ruled Kimoto and Wilson may be released on a $50,000 bond each pending trial set for September. Both would be required to post 10 percent of $50,000 bond with the court and comply with restrictive conditions set by U.S. Pretrial Services.

Kimoto and Wilson are accused of being members of the “Miske racketeering enterprise which routinely committed violent crimes and assaults and used threats and intimidation to protect the illegal activities which enriched and furthered the interests of Miske” and the enterprise, according to court documents.

The others named in the indictment unsealed by the government last week are Miske, his half-brother John B. Stancil, Kaulana Freitas, Lance Bermudez, Dae Han Moon, Michael J. Buntenbah, Harry K. Kauhi, Norman L. Akau III and Jarrin K. Young.

During Tuesday’s hearings for Kimoto and Wilson held by phone from the Honolulu federal court and Honolulu Federal Detention Center, assistant U.S. attorneys requested the two men be detained pending trial.

Kimoto was indicted with racketeering, drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, if convicted.

Mansfield ruled Kimoto, who has no criminal history, may be released on a $50,000 bond and must abide to conditions of his release that include GPS monitoring, surrendering his passport to authorities and no traveling outside of Oahu. Of the conspiracy to commit kidnapping charge, Mansfield said Kimoto’s role appears to be “rather passive” as charging documents just describe a conversation. The indictment alleged Kimoto met with unnamed co-conspirators in the kidnapping to discuss the situation.

Wilson, 26, has been indicted with racketeering, drugs, robbery and firearms. He faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, if convicted. .

At Tuesday’s hearing, assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Nammar argued Wilson played a role in a 2018 armed robbery and that he has a history of substance abuse.

Mansfield indicated Wilson’s criminal history does not involve violent behavior. He was convicted in 2015 for misdemeanor criminal property damage.

In addition to the $50,000 bond for his release, Mansfield ordered Wilson must be released under home detention restriction at Makana O Ke Akua (MOKA), a program that offers clean and sober housing on Oahu.

Miske’s detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday.