LIHU‘E — As former Kaua‘i County Councilmember Arthur Brun’s sentencing date approaches later this month, another of his co-conspirators has reached a plea deal.
Steven Keli‘ikuli pleaded guilty last week to conspiring to distribute between 200 and 350 grams of meth, for which he will be subject to a term of imprisonment of between five and 40 years and a fine of up to $5 million.
The 53-year-old Kalaheo resident was one of 11 co-conspirators charged in the 2020 indictment that centered around the former councilmember’s extensive drug-trafficking organization on Kaua‘i.
Keli‘ikuli was charged based partially on information obtained from a wiretap speaking with Brun about acquiring three ounces of meth.
Court documents show that Brun sometimes resided with Keli‘ikuli, who also assisted Brun in evading police, at one time warning him on the wiretap of “three cop cars in Hanapepe.”
In January 2020, law enforcement searched Keli‘ikuli’s residence and vehicle, recovering a .38 special and six rounds of ammunition, which were forfeited as part of the plea deal.
Keli‘ikuli has faced charges in the past, pleading guilty in 2010 to felony forgery and drug crimes, according to court records.
Brun was arrested in October 2019 after a traffic stop of his vehicle turned into a high-speed chase, in which he injured a Kaua‘i Police Department lieutenant.
After a brief chase, KPD apprehended Brun, finding a Wal-Mart bag filled with more than a pound of meth on the side of the road along the route that Brun’s vehicle had taken.
Brun reached a plea agreement in November and received a 15-year prison sentence for weapons violations, possession and distribution of meth and assaulting a law-enforcement officer, among other charges. He is set to be sentenced on March 24.
Earlier this month, fellow co-conspirator Orlando Manguchei reached a plea deal on a weapons charge, admitting that he worked with Brun to acquire a weapon as a convicted felon, for which he will face up to five years in custody.
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Guthrie Scrimgeour, reporter, can be reached at 647-0329 or gscrimgeour@thegardenisland.com.
