A 45-year-old Keaau man facing numerous drug and firearms charges could receive a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Dwayne Cory Wallace Sr. is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony drug offense, first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, five counts of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to court documents filed by police, a search warrant was served and Wallace arrested early Friday morning at a Hokupaa Street home in the Waiakea Uka neighborhood of Hilo. Officers reportedly recovered a loaded 9 mm handgun, 305.4 grams of methamphetamine — about 2/3 of a pound — a small amount of heroin, 11.7 grams of marijuana, a pipe that tested positive for methamphetamine residue and a digital scale that tested positive for heroin residue.
According to a police log, a 28-year-old Hilo woman, Julissa Ann Herrera, also was arrested on suspicion of two counts each of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possession of drug paraphernalia, plus marijuana possession. She was released without being charged pending further investigation.
The two most serious charges Wallace faces, first-degree possession of a dangerous drug and possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony drug offense, are Class A felonies punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment.
A life sentence with the possibility of parole could be imposed in this case, however, if Wallace is convicted of a Class A felony if a judge rules that Wallace is a persistent and/or multiple offender, as alleged by prosecutors in the complaint.
According to the complaint, Wallace has been convicted of 14 felonies dating back to 1997, including negligent injury and multiple theft- and drug-related offenses.
The document claims “an extended term of imprisonment is necessary for the protection of the public” from Wallace.
During Wallace’s initial court appearance Thursday afternoon, Deputy Public Defender Austin Hsu asked for Wallace to be freed on supervised release, which doesn’t require cash bail, or that Wallace’s bail be reduced, with Deputy Prosecutor Jared Auna objecting to both requests.
Hilo District Judge Harry Freitas maintained Wallace’s bail at $350,100 and ordered him to appear for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Wallace remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
Email John Burnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.