Puna, Hawaiʻi – A Puna man has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including possession and attempted distribution of methamphetamine, after Hawaiʻi Island police executed narcotics search warrants on an Aʻinaloa residence and a vehicle.
Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that Davin Antonio, 52, was arrested on August 4, 2025. According to police reports, VICE-East officers recovered a total of 473.84 grams (1.04 pounds) of a substance that tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine. Also seized during the operation were five digital scales, unused zip lock-type packets, ammunition, and more than $4,000 in U.S. currency.
Antonio made his initial court appearance in Hilo District Court on Wednesday afternoon, August 6. His bail was maintained at $343,000, and he was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on Friday, August 8, 2025.
According to the complaint, Antonio is charged with:
- Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree (possessing one ounce or more of methamphetamine)
- Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree (attempted distribution of methamphetamine)
- Promoting a Harmful Drug in the Fourth Degree
- Two counts of Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree
- Two counts of Ownership, Possession, or Control of Ammunition Prohibited
The two first-degree drug charges are class A felony offenses, which carry a penalty of 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 felony narcotics investigation was handled by the Hawaiʻi Police Department’s VICE-East Section, and the case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Andrew Son and Elyssa Correia Keltner.