KEALAKEKUA — A convicted felon from California charged with drug, theft and firearm possession offenses on the Big Island managed to slip out of the hospital and evade his court appearance Wednesday.
KEALAKEKUA — A convicted felon from California charged with drug, theft and firearm possession offenses on the Big Island managed to slip out of the hospital and evade his court appearance Wednesday.
Clayton Michael Sexton, 31, of San Diego is charged with unlawful control of a propelled vehicle, third-degree promoting a dangerous drug, being a felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of second-degree promoting a dangerous drug and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Also arrested were Michael Sexton, 56, and Anthony James Edward, 29, also both of San Diego, on charges of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug. Both were released Sunday night pending investigation. The Sextons are a father-son pair.
Police allege Clayton Sexton was driving a car that was reported stolen from Dollar Rent-A-Car when an officer pulled him over Saturday. When he was searched, officers found drugs in his possession, said Lt. Sherry Bird, director of the Police Department’s Area II vice section.
The narcotics K-9 unit was called in and indicated there were more drugs in the vehicle, Bird said. Sexton allegedly had, in total, 5.8 grams of heroin and slightly more than 10 grams of meth.
Bird said that when the officer stopped Sexton, he was seen to lean forward, as if reaching under the seat; a handgun was later recovered within his reach.
Sexton has spent time in prison in California. According to court records, he was sentenced in 2005 on charges of assault with a firearm and interfering with or intimidating a witness. He was convicted of burglary in 2011 and a probation violation in 2015.
He also is wanted on other charges.
Big Island authorities are searching for Sexton, who managed to duck away from supervision after his arrest following a brief hospitalization.
After Sexton’s initial appearance Monday, he had a medical emergency that led to him being sent to Kona Community Hospital, said Kona District Judge Margaret Masunaga.
The first doctor to examine Sexton said he would need to remain in the hospital for up to five days. If he remained in custody, a state Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division deputy would have to remain with him continuously. Deputies instead requested Sexton be placed on supervised release rather than under a previously set bond of $125,000. Masunaga agreed.
That same night, another doctor evaluated Sexton and determined his emergency would not require such an extensive time in the hospital, Masunaga said. Sexton was discharged from the hospital some time before 8 a.m. Tuesday.
He did not report to the Intake Service Center as ordered by Masunaga.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sheri Lawson requested Wednesday that the bond for the criminal contempt of court be placed at $250,000. Matsunaga agreed.
The standard bond conditions include that he is not allowed to leave the island. However, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has no legal mechanism to stop people from leaving.
Email Graham Milldrum at gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com.