A preliminary hearing is slated next month for a a 46-year-old Ocean View man accused of auto theft, drug possession and other offenses.
Benjamin Kawika Jerin-Kealoha is facing charges of first-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, first-degree theft if a Jeep rental vehicle, third-degree promoting a dangerous drug, resisting an order to stop and operating a vehicle without a license, according to Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen.
Jerin-Kealoha was arrested Jan. 21. At the time of his arrest, he was also arrested for two unrelated outstanding warrants. Bail was set at $47,000.
The 46-year-old made his initial appearance Tuesday in Kona District Court where defense counsel motioned for a reduction in bail to $500. The state requested bail be maintained, and objected to the requested reduction.
Judge Joanna Sokolow subsequently ordered Jerin-Kealoha be granted supervised release pending a preliminary hearing slated for Feb. 20.
The most serious offense, first-degree theft, is a class B felony and punishable by a 10-year prison term or four years probation and up to 18 months in jail.