Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Mountain View man, 30 year-old Daniel Keith Kia‘i Tavares, was charged with the attempted distribution and possession of methamphetamine and prohibited possession of firearms offenses. Police reports indicate that on March 4, 2023, Tavares was contacted within a vehicle parked on the shoulder of Akolea Road in Hilo. Officers later executed a vehicle narcotics search warrant and recovered approximately 12 ounces of methamphetamine and two P80 framed, unserialized, and unregistered handguns. At the time of his arrest, Tavares was also arrested on an unrelated bench warrant.
Tavares is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Tuesday afternoon. He remains in custody in lieu of $347,000.00 bail.
As the Complaint alleges, Tavares was charged with Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree (possess more than one ounce of methamphetamine), Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree (attempt to distribute over one-eighth ounce of methamphetamine), Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree (possess more than one-eighth ounce of methamphetamine), two counts of Place to Keep Pistols and Revolvers (a P80 framed 9mm pistol and a P80 framed .40 caliber pistol), Carrying or Possessing a Loaded Firearm on a Public Highway (a P80 framed 9mm pistol), Carrying or Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Separate Felony, Place to Keep Ammunition, Ownership or Possession of Ammunition Prohibited, two counts of Ownership or Possession of Firearm Prohibited, and two counts of Manufacturing, Purchasing, or Obtaining Firearm Parts to Assemble a Firearm Having No Serial Number. Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree, Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree, and Carrying or Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Separate Felony are all class A felony offenses which are punishable by a twenty-year prison term.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case was initiated by Officer Andrew Springer, South Hilo Patrol, and the felony investigation was handled by Detective Kimo Keli‘ipa‘akaua, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Patrick Muñoz.
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.