A judge has denied a bail reduction or release without bail for a 39-year-old Kona man who was arrested Thursday in Puna for numerous firearms and drug offenses.
Hilo District Judge Bruce Larson on Monday maintained bail at $337,000 for Bernard Kahalehili Antoque and ordered him to appear at 2:30 p.m. today for a preliminary hearing.
Antoque is charged with carrying a loaded firearm on a public roadway, five counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition, possession of a firearm with serial numbers removed, illegally carrying a handgun and ammunition, possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony drug offense, two counts of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug with intent to distribute, manufacturing or distribution of an imitation controlled substance, marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The most serious charges — possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony drug offense and the two first-degree dangerous drug charges — are all Class A felonies that carry a maximum 20-year prison sentence upon conviction.
According to court documents filed by police, Antoque — who had active warrants for bail jumping after missing a court appearance in a vehicular manslaughter and second-degree negligent homicide case — was spotted in a parked gold Honda sedan on Kumu Street in Hawaiian Beaches subdivision by officers of the police’s East Hawaii Special Enforcement Unit.
When Antoque got out of the car, he allegedly told police, “I get stuff on me. I get one gun, it’s under me.”
Police recovered an unserialized loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun, plus rounds of ammunition of varying calibers, according to documents.
Antoque has six previous felony convictions, according to police, and cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
Police also allegedly found about 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine, about a half-ounce of dimethyl sulfone, an imitation substance and a small amount of marijuana.
Court minutes state Antoque was wanted on two counts of bail jumping after missing a Dec. 29 court date in a Kailua-Kona vehicular manslaughter and negligent homicide case.
Antoque is charged in the June 21, 2020, death of 31-year-old Angel Nohelani Leialoha Ano of Pahoa, who died after a 2002 Chrysler PT cruiser Antoque was allegedly driving failed to stop at an intersection in Ocean View and overturned in a lava field.
While he’s charged with both manslaughter and negligent homicide for Ano’s death, he can only be convicted of one of those charges.
The manslaughter charge is a Class A felony with a possible 20-year prison sentence, while second-degree negligent homicide is a Class C felony that carries a possible five-year prison term upon conviction.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
