Jury trial is now set for early 2023 for a 44-year-old Kona woman facing federal drug charges after her arrest in April upon arriving at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole.
Jennifer M. Conway, also known as Amanda Gene Vason, pleaded not guilty May 12 to possession with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl over 400 grams, conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams or methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute over 40 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute “quantity of a mixture and substance” containing a detectable amount of heroin.
Magistrate Judge Kenneth Mansfield, who presided over Conway’s arraignment and plea hearing in U.S. District Court in Honolulu, then set trial for July 11. However, a week later, on May 19, the court announced both the defense and prosecution had agreed to set the date back to Feb. 6, 2023. Judge Derrick K. Watson will oversee the trial.
Conway, who is being held without bail, remains in custody at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu.
Conway has been in police custody since her arrest April 21 at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole after arriving on a direct flight from Seattle.
There, awaiting law enforcement served a search warrant and reportedly recovered 1.7 pounds (502 grams) of methamphetamine, 2,700 fentanyl pills with a combined weight of 287.5 grams, and 1.8 ounces (52 grams) of heroin.
Hawaii County prosecutors initially filed the case at the state level, however, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Honolulu opted to pick up the case, which came as the result of a month-long collaborative drug trafficking investigating spanning Hawaii Island and Washington.
Because Conway has two prior felony drug convictions out of Washington, she could face life imprisonment, which means serving not less than 25 years, for all of the counts except the heroin offense, which is punishable by a minimum of 10 years.
Anyone having information concerning illegal narcotics distribution should call the Hawaii Police Department Vice Section in East Hawaii at (808) 961-2258 or in West Hawaii at (808) 326-4646, ext. 226. Those who prefer to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
