Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Pahoa man, 58-year-old Jack Brenha, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison on September 22nd for the offense of Felon in Possession of Firearm. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson ordered that Brenha, who has two (2) prior Hawai‘i state felony convictions, be placed on three (3) years of supervision following his 27-month sentence. Judge Watson also recommended to the Federal Bureau of Prisons that Brenha be placed in a substance abuse treatment program and residential drug abuse program.
On July 28, 2020, Hawai‘i Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop on Brenha’s Toyota Tacoma for a broken taillight and safety check violations. Subsequent checks revealed that Brenha was unlicensed and he was placed under arrest. Officers later obtained a search warrant to search Brenha’s vehicle and recovered an unregistered Colt brand 1911 .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, from within a soft gun case, under the driver’s seat.“The investigation and prosecution were the results of a combined effort by members of the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, 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 repeat offenders accountable and prioritize the prosecution of felons in possession of firearms,” 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 the prohibited possession of firearms or 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.#hawaiiprosecutors