Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Kona man, 35 year-old Dorian Thompson, was arrested and charged with possession of fentanyl. According to police reports, on February 2, 2024, Area II VICE officers contacted Thompson after he disembarked a flight from California. Officers later recovered a total of over twenty grams of fentanyl from within a backpack that was observed to be in Thompson’s possession. At the time of his arrest, Thompson was also arrested for violating terms and conditions of his release in another unrelated criminal matter.
Thompson made his initial appearance in Kona District Court on Monday morning. Over Prosecutors’ objections, District Court Judge Kimberly Tsuchiya reduced Thompson’s bail from $50,000.00 to $5,000.00. Thompson was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on February 6, 2024.
As the Complaint alleges, Thompson was charged with Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree. Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree is a class B felony offense punishable by either a ten-year prison term or four years probation and up to eighteen months in jail.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The investigation was conducted by the Area II Vice Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kaua Jackson.
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) 934-8423, West Hawai‘i at (808) 329-0423, or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.