Five years prison for losing probation

LIHUE — A Honolulu man had his probation revoked and was sentenced to five years prison Tuesday in 5th Circuit Court.

An arrest in Honolulu for a fourth-degree theft charge also resulted in a probation violation for Steven Nikkoulas Helmke, 24. He was subsequently arrested by the Kauai Police Department on Nov. 27, for a prosecutor’s motion for revocation or modification of his probation.

Helmke had a prior revocation and was resentenced to a year in confinement and a new probation on Sept. 15, 2010.

Judge Kathleen Watanabe said it was disappointing the defendant was dismissed twice from residential treatment after being given a second chance. She said the court had no other option other than prison given four reappearances in court for revocation or new charges since the initial 2009 probation sentence.

Helmke told Judge Watanabe he recalled what she told him about one more court appearance likely meaning prison. He said he was prepared for the sentencing.

“You are a young man,” Watanabe said to Helmke. “Do good time.”

Watanabe resentenced Helmke to concurrent five-year prison terms in two cases. The first was for felony unauthorized entry into a dwelling, and the second was for second-degree burglary, second-degree forgery and theft of credit card.

County Second Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Vogt represented the state and recommended the open prison term. She noted that Helmke had not paid any court fines or fees and had failed to keep in contact with probation or comply with other court-ordered programs.

State Deputy Public Defender Samuel Jajich represented Helmke and said it was unfortunate he used his talents in an unlawful manner. He asked for concurrent sentencing and noted how well Helmke had performed with programs while incarcerated on Kauai.