A federal jury Thursday convicted Raymond Nauta Reyes, 51, of Kalaheo of three federal drug and firearm crimes. The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday that Reyes, a resident of Kaua‘i, was convicted for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine
A federal jury Thursday convicted Raymond Nauta Reyes, 51, of Kalaheo of three federal drug and firearm crimes.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday that Reyes, a resident of Kaua‘i, was convicted for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine (Ice); possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense; and, possessing of a firearm after having been previously convicted for domestic violence.
United States Attorney Ed Kubo said that Reyes faces a mandatory sentence of five years, and up to 40 years imprisonment in federal prison on the drug charge. He will also receive another consecutive five-year jail term for carrying a gun during the drug offense.
Reyes could also receive a maximum ten years imprisonment for possessing the gun after being previously convicted for domestic violence.
There is no parole under current federal law.
Sentencing has been set for September 12 before federal Circuit Court Judge A. Wallace Tashima, who presided over the trial.
The case was investigated by the Kaua‘i Police Department who encountered Reyes at the Kikiaola Boat Harbor in Kekaha in October, 2002.
The officers were checking a report that a man was selling drugs from a vehicle parked at the boat harbor when they arrested him.
At that time, Reyes was found in possession of an ounce of “Ice” and a loaded .38 caliber revolver was also recovered from Reyes’ car. Police also found ten rounds of ammunition for the pistol on him.
He was previously convicted in state court for assaulting his girlfriend on Kaua‘i. This conviction prohibited him from possessing any guns or ammunition under federal law.
Kubo said of the conviction in a press release: “We will continue to aggressively rid our communities of drug dealers and others who have reputations for violence. This conviction, and the lengthy prison term to follow is only possible because of the close partnership between the Kaua‘i Police and DEA, and, I am proud that we made Kaua‘i safer for its residents as a result of this case.”
The case was investigated by the Kaua‘i Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant United States Attorney Beverly Wee Sameshima handled the prosecution.
The circumstances of the case put him within the goals of the federal Project Safe Neighborhoods program.
