Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Mountain View man, 43 year-old Kamon Stephens, was arrested and charged following the execution of a narcotics search warrant at a residence in Aloha Estates on March 29, 2023. At the time of his arrest, Stephens was also arrested for an unrelated outstanding warrant.
Stephens made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Monday afternoon. Stephens’ bail was maintained at $133,000.00 and he was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 5, 2023.
As the Complaint alleges, Stephens was charged with two counts of Ownership or Possession of Firearms Prohibited (possess a Glock .40 caliber pistol and a Charter Arms .22 caliber rifle), three counts of Ownership or Possession of Ammunition Prohibited, two counts of Commercial Promotion of Marijuana in the Second Degree (knowingly possess marijuana having an aggregate weight of two pounds or more), Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possess any amount of methamphetamine), Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possess any amount of hydrocodone), Promoting a Harmful Drug in the Third Degree, Promoting a Detrimental Drug in the Third Degree, Prohibited Acts Related to Drug Paraphernalia, and Butterfly Knives Prohibited.
The most serious offenses, Ownership or Possession Prohibited and Commercial Promotion of Marijuana in the Second Degree, are both class B felony offenses which are 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 a collaboration between members of Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Vice and Criminal Investigation Sections, Community Policing Section, and Puna Patrol, and law enforcement officers with the Sheriff’s Department and Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement. The investigation was led by Detective Kimo Keli‘ipa‘akaua, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nathan Wersal.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
