Threat suspect gets 15 days on traffic charges

HILO — A Puna man police think is behind alleged threats to a Hilo Circuit Court judge was sentenced Tuesday to 15 days in jail on unrelated traffic matters.

Hilo District Judge Harry Freitas imposed the sentence on 33-year-old Ronald Joseph Kong of Pahoa on a charge of driving without insurance.

Kong, the subject of a weeklong police manhunt, was arrested at an Ainaloa subdivision home about 11:45 p.m. Sunday, on suspicion of domestic abuse, terroristic threatening, unlawful imprisonment and assault.

In addition to the traffic charges, Kong has also been charged with four counts of contempt of court and two of failure to appear, the result of bench warrants. Bail on those charges has been set at $4,100.

Kong had been the subject of two wanted bulletins by police this month, one on Jan. 11 and the other on Jan. 14, seeking the public’s help locating him. Neither bulletin mentioned the alleged threats to the judge, but a written statement on the alleged threat — which didn’t mention Kong — was sent to the media just minutes prior to the second wanted bulletin. Police say the alleged threat against the judge, who was not named, was reported on Jan. 11, the date of the first wanted bulletin.

Detectives also are investigating 18 firearms-related charges, which include the alleged possession of two handguns, a sawed-off shotgun and a rifle with silencer; two charges related to explosives; two counts of burglary; five counts of felony theft; five counts each of promoting a dangerous drug and drug paraphernalia; and a single marijuana possession charge.

The firearms and explosives were reportedly found in a stolen late-model Toyota pickup truck Kong was allegedly driving. Detectives reportedly spotted Kong driving the truck south on Highway 11 in Mountain View on Jan. 12.