Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Volcano man, 42 year-old Eric W. Clough, was indicted by a Hilo grand jury earlier this month for the attempted distribution of methamphetamine in relation to receiving a postal parcel containing nearly one pound of methamphetamine on March 12, 2022 at the Volcano Post Office.
Clough made his initial appearance in Hilo Circuit Court on Monday afternoon. Clough’s bail was maintained at $135,000.00 and he was ordered to appear for jury trial on September 18, 2023.
As the Indictment alleges, Clough was charged with two counts of Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree and a single count of Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree (possess over one-eighth of an ounce of methamphetamine). Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree is a class A felony offense punishable by either a twenty-year prison term or ten years probation and up to two years 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 Section and Special Enforcement Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Postal Inspection Services. 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 or in West Hawai‘i at (808) 329-0423, or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.