A 54-year-old Pahoa man accused of running a methamphetamine lab and illegally possessing firearms and explosives declared poverty in federal court in Honolulu on Monday and received a court-appointed defense lawyer.
U.S. District Chief Magistrate Judge Kenneth Mansfield appointed Catherine Gutierrez to represent Shannan Hostetler, based on a sworn financial affidavit filed with the court. The document if not available to the public.
Hostetler is charged with possession with intent to distribute and manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, illegal possession of firearms, and unlawful possession of explosives.
If convicted of the charged offenses, Hostetler faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and fines of up to $10 million.
Hostetler didn’t enter a plea to the charges during his initial court appearance.
Mansfield also set a hearing regarding a motion to detain Hostetler without bail for 10:30 a.m. Thursday and a preliminary hearing at 10:30 a.m. on July 14 before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Rom Trader.
The motion describes Hostetler as a flight risk and a danger to the community.
Earlier this year, the Hawaii Police Department received a community tip indicating that a known narcotics trafficker was frequently visiting Hostetler’s property under a suspected arrangement to stash firearms, money and narcotics.
Searches last week on two properties on Ocean View Parkway in the Black Sand subdivision by HPD’s Vice Section and Homeland Security Investigations turned up possible explosive devices and bomb-making materials, plus 289 grams of methamphetamine, 459 grams of cocaine, and more than than 1,700 grams of methamphetamine oil.
In addition, seven firearms, more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition and more than $14,000 in cash was seized.
A meth lab also was located on the property.
Police say bomb technicians from the FBI, as well as the Maui and Kauai police departments, secured and removed two partially constructed pipe bombs, as well as black powder, flash powder and other explosive materials.
According to the complaint, less than 24 hours after law enforcement searched Hostetler’s properties, an “interested third party” who learned about the search contacted investigators and turned over 20 more firearms, including at least five AR-15 style assault rifles, a .45 ACP carbine rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, and a 6.5 Grendel tactical rifle outfitted with a scope and bipod. Some of the firearms were loaded with extended magazines.
Hostetler was convicted in Arkansas in 1995 of manufacturing crystal meth. He was sentenced to three years of probation for the Class C felony offense.
He remains in custody at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
