By JOHN BURNETT
By JOHN BURNETT
Tribune-Herald staff writer
A Hilo grand jury returned indictments on Wednesday against three individuals in two separate drug cases.
A seven-count indictment charges 36-year-old Michael Blanco of Hilo with attempted first-degree methamphetamine trafficking, second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, two counts of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to police, a search warrant was executed on an Iwalani Street home on Aug. 14, and police confiscated more than a quarter-ounce of crystal methamphetamine, or “ice,” and drug paraphernalia, some of which contained meth residue.
Blanco was one of seven people evicted last May from a home on West Kawailani Street near the Hilo Municipal Golf Course that prosecutors described as a “drug house.” Hilo Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura granted a temporary injunction ordering Blanco and others to stay away from the property for 60 days under the state’s so-called “nuisance abatement” law. The house was owned by relatives of Blanco.
According to court records, Blanco has 30 prior criminal convictions. He was sentenced to five years in prison in 2003 on a drug conviction and to 142 days in jail in 2007 on an assault charge.
Attempted first-degree methamphetamine trafficking is a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug is a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possession of drug paraphernalia are both Class C felonies punishable by up to five years in prison.
A separate eight-count indictment accuses 62-year-old Karen Ann Sagerdahl and/or 54-year-old Allan L. Schenker, both of Keaau, of numerous marijuana-related offenses, and Schenker of two methamphetamine-related charges.
According to police, on Aug. 17, 2011, officers executed a search warrant on a 39th Avenue home in Orchidland Estates subdivision and seized 711 marijuana plants, 36 starter plants or “clones,” 9.1 pounds of dried marijuana and numerous items of drug paraphernalia.
The indictment charges Sagerdahl and/or Schenker with two counts of first-degree commercial promotion of marijuana, a single count of second-degree commercial promotion of marijuana and three counts of possessing drug paraphernalia. The document also charges Schenker with third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia.
According to court records, Sagerdahl has 20 criminal convictions but none for felonies. Court records indicate that Schenker has 18 criminal convictions and was sentenced in 1994 to five years in prison for third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.
First-degree commercial promotion of marijuana is a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Second-degree commercial promotion of marijuana is a Class B felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
Email John Burnett at
jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.