Two men and a woman are facing felony drug charges, with one of the men also charged with firearms offenses, in connection with a traffic stop last month in Waimea.
John Patrick Rapozo, 44, of Hilo is charged with two counts of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, a single count of second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug plus being a felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a firearm in the commission of a felony drug offense and carrying a loaded firearm on a public highway. Nathaniel Ikaika Young, 24, of Pahoa faces two counts of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and single counts of second- and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug. And Kendralyn Elilae Masang, 20, of Hilo is charged with single counts of first- and second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.
All were indicted April 9 by a Kona grand jury.
According to Hawaii Police Department spokesman Alan Richmond, the bust occurred March 23 in Waimea when an officer stopped a vehicle on Mamalahoa Highway for failing to signal before making a left-hand turn. A search of the vehicle turned up 5.7 ounces — more than a 1/3 of a pound — of heroin and Rapozo was allegedly carrying a 9 mm weapon.
The indictment states Rapozo was previously convicted three times of first-degree burglary, twice of unauthorized control of a stolen vehicle and second-degree theft, plus bail jumping, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.
All three were arraigned in Kona Circuit Court, according to court records.
During her arraignment Monday, Masang pleaded not guilty.
Judge Robert Kim ordered her to appear for trial at 9 a.m. Aug. 14 and reduced her $50,000 bail to supervised release, which doesn’t require a monetary outlay.
Rapozo and Young appeared before Kim on Tuesday and entered not guilty pleas.
Kim reduced Rapozo’s bail from $150,000 to $50,000 and maintained Young’s at $50,000. He ordered both to also appear for trial at 9 a.m. Aug. 14.
Both remain in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
