Ah Chong is free on bail.
A 19-year-old Hawaiian Paradise Park man accused of pointing an air pistol at his girlfriend and her friends and demanding custody of his infant son in October has changed his plea.
Dustin M.K. Ah Chong pleaded guilty Thursday morning in Hilo Circuit Court to three counts of first-degree terroristic threatening. In return for his plea, prosecutors dropped three additional terroristic threatening charges, as well as a kidnapping charge.
Circuit Judge Glenn Hara set sentencing for Feb. 28 at 8 a.m.
First-degree terroristic threatening carries a maximum five-year prison term. Ah Chong’s attorney, William Heflin, asked the court to defer acceptance of his client’s plea.
If the judge defers the plea, Ah Chong could have the conviction erased from his record if he stays out of trouble over the period of probation set by the court.
Ah Chong is free on bail.