Prison for repeat drug and theft offenses

LIHUE — A Kilauea man was sentenced to five years in prison for repeat theft and drug charges Thursday in 5th Circuit Court.

Barrett Ochoa Belmonte, 29, was sentenced to concurrent five-year prison terms in three cases as part of a global plea deal. He must serve a mandatory minimum one year and eight months for committing a felony within 10 years of a previous felony conviction.

“The court doesn’t have any options in your case,” Chief Judge Randal Valenciano said to the defendant in court.

Belmonte was sentenced following a plea deal that encompassed four cases. The sentencing was for charges including theft of a credit card, unauthorized possession of confidential personal information, second-degree theft and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

The charges involved two stolen credit union debit/credit cards used to obtain goods or cash in value over $300.

“This defendant meets the definition of career criminal,” said County Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar. “It’s unfortunate, but his extensive criminal record left us, and the Court, with no options but the prison sentence.”

Court-appointed defense attorney James Tagupa said that a drug addiction was the underlying issue behind the charges. Belmonte had cleaned up but the loss of a close uncle overwhelmed him and he relapsed, Tagupa added.

County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Melinda Mendes said the plea agreement required a five-year term. She asked the court to order restitution.

Valenciano said the defendant would get credit for time served since his July arrest but did not allow parole.

Valenciano denied a $255.08 restitution request for a third-party financial institution that is not a direct victim in the case. He denied a $1,441 restitution for a stolen laptop that was recovered and is in evidence.