Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Hilo man, 44-year-old Cory Young, was sentenced to fifteen (15) years in Federal prison on August 16th for the offense of Possession of Fifty (50) Grams or More of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson also ordered that Young, who has thirteen (13) prior Hawai‘i state felony convictions, be placed on five (5) years of supervision following his fifteen (15) year sentence.
On January 22, 2020, Shortly after 10:30 p.m., South Hilo Patrol officers observed a white Nissan Altima stopped in the left-turn lane on Kanoelehua Avenue towards the entrance to the airport. The vehicle was running; however, it was not moving. Officers approached the vehicle to investigate and observed the driver to be slumped over and he appeared to be sleeping. Officers woke the driver (Young) up and he could not provide valid insurance or reregistration for the vehicle and it was confirmed that he had a revoked driver’s license. Young was placed under arrest for driving with a suspended license. Officers later obtained a search warrant to search Young’s vehicle and recovered a total of over two (2) pounds of methamphetamine, a digital scale, drug ledger and notes, a .22 caliber revolver and ammunition, and over a $1,000.00 in U.S. currency.
Officers had Young exit the vehicle and at that time observed the handle of a firearm protruding from under the driver’s seat. Detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. The search of the vehicle yielded a loaded 22-caliber handgun, just over 2.17 pounds of methamphetamine, 21.4 grams of dried processed marijuana, and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia.
Young was placed under arrest and transported to the South Hilo Police station. The vehicle was recovered as evidence and towed to the South Hilo Police station.
“The investigation and prosecution was the result of a combined effort by members of the Hawai‘i Police Department’s South Hilo Patrol and Area I Criminal Investigation Section, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Hawai‘i County Prosecutors, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 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,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information concerning illegal narcotics distribution should call the Hawai‘i Police Department Vice Section in East Hawai‘i at (808) 961-2258 or in West Hawai‘i at (808) 326-4646 Ext. 226, or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 in East Hawai‘i or (808) 329-8181 in West Hawai‘i.
