HILO — A 42-year-old Hilo man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he possessed more than 3/4 of a pound of methamphetamine, plus heroin and drug paraphernalia.
HILO — A 42-year-old Hilo man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he possessed more than 3/4 of a pound of methamphetamine, plus heroin and drug paraphernalia.
Acting Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto ordered Kenneth L.K. Cox to appear for trial at 9 a.m. before the successor of Kona Circuit Judge Ronald Ibarra, who will soon retire.
Cox was indicted Monday by a Kona grand jury for first- and second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, four counts of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and two counts of possessing drug paraphernalia.
Cox’s sport-utility vehicle and a Honomu bed-and-breakfast room were searched May 31. Police reportedly found 13.2 ounces of methamphetamine, 2.7 grams of heroin, and glass pipes with methamphetamine residue, documents state.
Officers also reportedly seized $11,470 in cash for possible forfeiture.
Cox’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender Justin Lee, objected to his client’s case being charged by a Kona grand jury and heard by a Kona judge.
“My understanding is the alleged incidents occurred on the Hilo side,” Lee said.
Deputy Prosecutor Haaheo Kahoohalahala told the judge she doesn’t “have any pertinent information in regards to why the case was indicted in Kona.”
“However, the state would note it’s within the state (and) county, and these are felony offenses, so I don’t see any grounds for the defense objection,” she said.
Nakamoto deferred ruling on the objection “pending a written motion from the defense.”
Lee also requested the judge grant Cox supervised release or to reduce his $135,000 bail to $60,000. He said Cox has a permanent address and steady employment and that his felony record is from a number of years ago.
“It doesn’t appear that there is a basis for high bail in Mr. Cox’s case,” Lee said.
Kahoohalahala called Cox a “high risk” defendant.
“The allegations in this case are because the defendant possessed … more than 13 ounces of methamphetamine as well as $11,470 in cash,” she said.
Nakamoto denied the defense request and maintained Cox’s bail.
The most severe charge, first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, is a Class A felony that carries a possible 20-year prison sentence upon conviction.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.