A Kailua-Kona man who plead guilty to a plethora of charges in connection to a 2019 islandwide crime spree was charged Monday in Hilo Circuit Court with four counts relating to contraband in jail.
Joshua D. Hams was charged via felony info with one count of first-degree promoting prison contraband, one count of second-degree promoting prison contraband, one count second-degree promoting a dangerous drug and one count of third degree promoting a harmful drug. If convicted of all charges he faces an additional 30 year prison sentence.
Sentencing had been delayed for Hams in connection with a 2019 islandwide crime spree that ended in a standoff at a Holualoa home. Joshua D. Hams appeared in August before Kona Circuit Court Judge Robert D.S. Kim for sentencing in connection with the string of incidents in August 2019, however, the hearing was continued after Deputy Public Defender James P. Greenberg notified the court that Hams may be wanted on a U.S. District Court warrant of arrest.
According to federal court records, a six-count criminal complaint against Hams in connection with incidents on Aug. 21, 2019 was filed Dec. 17, 2019, in U.S. District Court. The document accuses Ham of two counts interference with commerce by robbery; two counts use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and two counts felon in possession of a firearm.
The online court records do not indicate if an arrest warrant has been issued. Greenberg in August told Kim in court that if the federal government was still pursing the case, he would seek withdrawal of his client’s no contest plea in the state case.
In a plea deal with the state, Hams pleaded no contest on June 25 to 21 of the 43 charges filed against him in connection with the incidents on Aug. 21, 2019, that spanned from Hilo to Ka‘u to Kona.
According to court records, Hams pleaded no contest to three counts first-degree robbery, one count carrying a firearm in commission of a separate felony, three counts ownership or possession prohibited, seven counts second-degree criminal property damage, three counts first-degree terroristic threatening, and one count each first-degree criminal property damage, unauthorized entry in dwelling and second-degree theft. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed to drop several charges.
Per the plea agreement, Hams faces up to 20 years incarceration with a mandatory minimum term of 10 years for the robbery offenses. Prosecutors also agreed to recommend concurrent sentences.
The reported islandwide crime spree began 9:20 a.m. Aug. 21, 2019, in Hilo with a report of a “mentally unstable” man brandishing a shotgun. That continued to Naalehu where the man, later identified as Hams, reportedly stole a state Highways Division vehicle and later robbed a Honaunau gas station at gunpoint.
Around noon, Hams allegedly fired shots in Kalaoa and then proceeded to the Kona Commons area where he reportedly shot out a door at the AT&T Store and also stole merchandise. Hams remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $1 million bail for the crime spree, and $30,000 for the contraband charges.
