Today, Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Hakalau man, 59 year-old Stanley Richard “Tosh” Bento, was charged for possession of methamphetamine.
As the Complaint alleges, Bento was charged with Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree, Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree, and Prohibited Acts Related to Drug Paraphernalia. Review of court records indicate that at the time of the alleged offenses, Bento was on supervised release and after having posted bail in two other unrelated felony drug cases.
Bento is scheduled to make his initial appearance today in Hilo District Court. He remains in custody in lieu of $35,000.00 bail.
The investigation was handled by Detective Keith Simeona, Special Enforcement Unit of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elyssa Correia-Keltner.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.