HONOLULU - Ernesto Hernandez, 51, of Kapolei, was sentenced today to 180 months imprisonment for conspiring to distribute and possess, with intent to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine from April to May 2013 as well as possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Florence T. Nakakuni, United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii, said that the evidence presented at trial in January 2014 showed that Hernandez agreed with other individuals to distribute methamphetamine that was sent from California, via express mail service, to Honolulu in early May 2013. The evidence also established that Hernandez arranged the shipment of 213 grams of pure methamphetamine which was intercepted at the Honolulu Airport on May 7, 2013 by Federal Express security personnel. Hernandez was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine, with the intent to distribute, when the Drug Enforcement Administration executed a search warrant at a Kapolei residence on May 8, 2013.
U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright found Hernandez’s dishonesty during his testimony at trial to be an aggravating factor in determining his sentence. Hernandez also faces deportation to Mexico upon the conclusion of his prison sentence.
The investigation which resulted in the charges in the case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Hawaii Airport Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Inciong handled the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
