Feds sentence Hilo man to 15 years in drug case

A 44-year-old Hilo man was sentenced last week to 15 years in federal prison for possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson also ordered that Cory George Young be placed on five years supervision after his 15-year sentence.

On Jan. 22, 2020, Hilo patrol officers rousted Young, who allegedly fell asleep at the wheel of a white Nissan Altima sedan on Kanoelehua Avenue — with the motor running — while waiting to turn left toward Hilo International Airport.

Officers reportedly saw a firearm in the car, and a search of the car allegedly turned up a loaded .22 caliber handgun, more than 2.17 pounds of methamphetamine, 21.4 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, drug ledger and notes, and more than $1,000 in cash.

Young, who had 13 prior state felony convictions, was on parole for a felony drug conviction at the time, and his case was originally prosecuted by the state until the feds assumed it in May 2020.

Young pleaded guilty to the single possession with intent to distribute charge. He originally also faced federal charges of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

County Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen said the investigation and prosecution of Young’s case “was the result of a combined effort” by local and federal law enforcement officials.

“Our office will continue to promote and encourage coordination between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to hold offenders accountable for the distribution of illegal narcotics such as methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl in our community,” Waltjen said.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.