KEALAKEKUA — A Hawaii Police vice officer testified during a preliminary hearing Thursday that he bought marijuana and an eight-ball of cocaine from a Kailua-Kona man at a downtown scooter rental business.
During the hearing, the officer identified the man as John Haley, general manager of Kona Scooters.
Haley was arrested Tuesday morning after Hawaii Police Area II Vice officers executed search warrants at the 39-year-old’s place of work and his home on Kupuna Street. He faces charges of first-degree attempted promotion of a dangerous drug, first-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, two counts of second-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and drug paraphernalia.
The first warrant was issued at the business at about 9:15 a.m. The kiosk had not opened yet when authorities searched Haley for drugs. According to police, drugs were found on Haley’s person, on his scooter and in the booth.
Police say the drugs found were 2.3 grams of cocaine and 58 grams of marijuana packaged for distribution as cigarettes in plastic containers and buds in sealed bags.
On Thursday, the vice officer testified he approached Haley outside at Kona Scooters on Monday and asked if he had any marijuana. The officer eventually followed the defendant into the business where he told the court he was asked by Haley if he wanted “flowers” or buds or “pre-rolled cones,” also known as a marijuana type of cigarette.
“I told him flowers,” the officer stated.
The officer told the court he purchased $40 worth of marijuana. He also asked about “old school” or cocaine.
“He told me I’d have to front him $350 for an eight-ball,” or eighth of an ounce of cocaine, he testified.
At that point, the officer told the court that he told Haley he would come back later. In the meantime, he went back to the police station and used a field kit to test the green leafy substances he previously purchased. He stated they all tested presumptive positive for marijuana.
The officer went back to the business around 3 p.m. and gave Haley money for the cocaine. The officer testified he met Haley Tuesday morning outside Kona Scooters where they did a “hand-to-hand,” in which the defendant discretely passed the cocaine to the officer.
Haley was taken into custody shortly afterward.
Officer Kyle Hirayama, also in the Vice section, executed the search warrant on Haley’s home. He testified he found a digital scale in the master bedroom that had a white crystalline substance on top of it, which field-tested presumptive positive for cocaine.
“We also recovered large quantities of presumptive positive marijuana,” Hirayama said.
An additional 315.5 grams (11.2 ounces) of marijuana packaged for distribution was recovered from the house.
Hirayama told the court there was no large amount of cocaine found in the residence.
At the residence, officers arrested 20-year-old Julianna Jochumson for third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, second-degree promotion of a detrimental drug and drug paraphernalia. She is out on bail.
District Court Judge Margaret Masunaga found there was sufficient evidence to move the case forward into 3rd Circuit Court during Haley’s preliminary hearing Thursday. Haley is scheduled for an arraignment and plea on Wednesday before Judge Robert D.S. Kim.
Also Thursday, Deputy Public Defender Rick Macapinlac requested Haley be granted supervised release.
“Mr. Haley suffers from ALS or also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” Macapinlac told the court.
ALS is a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function. While it can be treated, it cannot be cured.
Since he was taken into custody, Macapinlac said, the jail hasn’t been able to provide Haley his medication.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sheri Lawson opposed the request, indicating the defendant is a flight risk as he has three extradition warrants from different states.
After hearing both arguments, Masunaga denied Macapinlac’s request.
“In previous cases where there were medical needs, DPS does make those accommodations,” she said.
The judge also maintained Haley’s bail at $71,000.