Bronson Kepa‘a, 38, of Pearl City, made his initial appearance today in United States District Court on charges filed in a criminal complaint that he possessed more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and more than 40 grams of fentanyl with intent to distribute them and carried a semi-automatic pistol during and in relation to that possession. The appearance followed his arrest yesterday at his Pearl City residence. Magistrate Judge Rom Trader ordered him detained pending a detention hearing on October 21, 2022.
According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) followed up on a fentanyl overdose resulting in death on October 7, 2022. The investigation led to an individual who reported obtaining fentanyl from a second individual and giving it to the overdose victim on October 7. The second individual, who was arrested after agreeing to provide more fentanyl to the first individual, identified a third individual as the person who provided the fentanyl. The third individual was arrested after agreeing to sell more fentanyl to the second individual.
The affidavit further recounted that the third individual identified Kepa‘a, who was known to the third individual as “Bronzy,” as a person who provided both fentanyl and methamphetamine to the third individual. On October 17, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant on Kepa‘a’s Pearl City residence and recovered approximately 61 grams of suspected fentanyl and one kilogram of suspected crystal methamphetamine as well as a loaded firearm, semiautomatic rifles, and boxes of ammunition.
On Oct. 9 the Honolulu Police contacted the DEA about a suspected overdose, and agents arrived at about 2:45 p.m. when the victim was identified by his grandmother. Honolulu Fire Department tested a substance found near the victim’s body that was confirmed as fentanyl, according to federal court documents.
The grandmother informed federal agents around 11 p.m. Oct. 7 she had driven the grandson and a friend of his to a house in Kalama Valley. The grandmother informed agents she knew the grandson smoked marijuana but didn’t know they were attempting to buy fentanyl. The search of the victim’s phone showed that at 10 p.m. that night he tried texting several people looking for “fent,” a slang term for fentanyl. One of those sources was the friend. Fentanyl pills purchased that night were $30 each, according to the complaint.
The individual who cooperated with law enforcement told agents that his source of supply for fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine was a person named “Bronzy,” and that he had just returned from Wahiawa after buying half an ounce of fentanyl for $1,400, a quarter-pound of crystal methamphetamine for approximately $1,800 and an ounce of cannabis for $125. Federal agents were able to identify Kepa‘a as “Bronzy.”
According to court documents, the cooperating witness contacted Kepa‘a through text messages and the Signal encrypted messaging app, designed to “never collect or store any sensitive information.” Text messages submitted as evidence showed that the cooperating witness texted Kepa‘a the following message: “Yo bossman…sent 7 tickets ($700)…if get soda (cocaine) ill take some pls, if not then half album (fentanyl)? Also can I purchase some norcos (narcotics)? Like 10-15? Ill give cash or white bars (Xanax).” The number allegedly belonging to Kepa‘a replied with, “No painkillers, get soda and windows (crystal methamphetamine).” The slang in the messages was interpreted by a DEA agent working the case, according to a sworn declaration. This is how Federal agents and police said they were able to trace the fatal fentanyl dose to Kepa‘a.
Honolulu police Department & DEA agents executed the search warrant at 8:05 a.m. Monday October 17th, at a unit on Kamahao Place in Pearl City. Kepa‘a was detained in an upstairs bedroom while a search of the unit “revealed suspected fentanyl powder in baggies in the open on the floor and within a false bottom hairspray can nearby, totaling approximately 61 grams,” according to federal court documents. Investigators said they also found a loaded gun inside a fanny pack near the foot of the bed where Kepa‘a was located. Also allegedly in the fanny pack was 25 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine, and about 1 kilogram of suspected crystal methamphetamine was also recovered from the bedroom.
Investigators also said they found two semi-automatic rifles in the living room, and one suspected automatic rifle in an insulated bag with multiple loaded rifle magazines in the same bag in the living room, according to court documents. Multiple boxes of ammunition were also recovered from the residence.
“The tragic death of a young Honolulu resident associated with at least one member of this group resulted from an overdose of fentanyl. This overdose death and others afflicting our community highlights a pernicious problem, and this investigation demonstrates what can be accomplished with a coordinated law enforcement effort,” said acting HPD Chief Rade Vanic. “Those profiting from the distribution of fentanyl and the suffering of our community will be held accountable for their actions, and we remain committed to keeping our municipality safe from those who peddle poison to our ohana and friends.”
Kepa‘a faces a maximum term of life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years on the drug offenses. In addition, for the firearm offense he faces a mandatory five years in prison consecutive to any sentence imposed on the drug charges, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“Increased trafficking of fentanyl, an extremely lethal synthetic opioid, promises to cause significant harm in our state,” said Clare E. Connors, United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii. “As demonstrated by this case, a very small dose – one pill – has the potential to kill, and while federal and local law enforcement will continue their joint efforts to investigate illegal drug trafficking, including trafficking resulting in overdose deaths, everyone should be aware of the terrible dangers of fentanyl.”
“Dangerous and highly addictive synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl are wreaking havoc on our communities and killing people at increasing rates,” said DEA Hawaii District Office Assistant Special Agent in Charge Victor Vazquez. “This case illustrates the collaborative work, alongside our local law enforcement partners, to target and hold drug traffickers accountable who drive addiction and threaten public safety.”
“The collaborative efforts of the Honolulu Police Department’s Narcotics/Vice Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Attorney’s Office resulted in a week-long operation that culminated in the arrest of this defendant and others who were involved in the distribution of fentanyl,” said Rade Vanic, Acting Chief of HPD. “The tragic death of a young Honolulu resident associated with at least one member of this group resulted from an overdose of fentanyl. This overdose death and others afflicting our community highlights a pernicious problem, and this investigation demonstrates what can be accomplished with a coordinated law enforcement effort. Those profiting from the distribution of fentanyl and the suffering of our community will be held accountable for their actions, and we remain committed to keeping our municipality safe from those who peddle poison to our ohana and friends.”
If indicted and convicted on those charges, Kepa‘a faces a maximum term of life imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum term of ten years, on the drug offenses, and for the firearm offense, a mandatory term of five years imprisonment consecutive to any sentence imposed on the drug charges.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Honolulu Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Nammar is handling the prosecution.