A 39-year-old Honomu man who committed two failed robbery attempts almost two years ago told a judge Wednesday drugs took over his life.
Kris Randall Villasista said during sentencing his use of crystal methamphetamine “made me do all the wrong decisions.”
“I’m sorry for all the crimes I did,” Villasista said. He said he has become a Christian during the 20 months he’s spent behind bars and promised the court “if I get probation I will not mess up, and if I do mess up, I’ll do the time in prison for all these charges.”
Hilo Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura sentenced Villasista to 10 years in prison on two counts each of attempted second-degree robbery and auto theft, plus single counts of promoting a dangerous drug and drug paraphernalia.
“The robbery and the (auto theft) charges involve victims and they are serious charges,” Nakamura said. “Although the drug usage may have played a role in your committing these crimes, it’s also true that not all drug addicts commit crimes … that involve victims.”
Villasista, who originally was charged with attempted first-degree robbery — a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison — pleaded guilty in January to all charges except one count of auto theft, entering a no contest plea to that charge.
According to court documents, a cashier at the 76 gas station at the corner of Kaumana Drive and Ainako Avenue in Hilo told police that at about 11:45 a.m. July 31, 2013, a man completely covered in an orange long-sleeve hooded jacket and jeans with brown boots waved a black handgun at the cash register and said “come on, come on.”
The cashier refused to give the man money and he drove off in a white Suzuki with no license plates.
About 20 minutes later, an employee of Atlas Recycling Center on Waianuenue Avenue told police a man bearing the same description met him at the back door holding what appeared to be a black handgun and said, “Give me your money,” documents state.
The recycling employee also refused, and the man fled in a white Suzuki with no license plates.
Villasista was later arrested at his home. The Suzuki was stolen, and the alleged handgun turned out to be a stick covered with black tape.
Stanton Oshiro, Villasista’s court-appointed attorney, said he regrets that Villasista is not eligible for Drug Court because of the attempted robbery charges, and asked the court to consider HOPE probation, which calls for stringent drug testing. He called Villasista an “inept” criminal, and noted that for most of his probation on a 2008 auto theft conviction, Villasista complied with court orders.
“If he can be compelled to enter treatment and stay away from drugs, then he can be a productive member of society,” Oshiro said. “He had a (commercial driver’s license). He was working. He was clean and sober for his initial probation period until the very end when it appeared something happened and he was led into drugs.”
Police also identified Villasista as the suspect in a May 30, 2013, robbery at Hamakua Coast Federal Credit Union, when a man pointed what appeared to be a handgun at two tellers and demanded cash. Villasista hasn’t been charged in that case. A police spokeswoman said in January police wrapped up their investigation last year and forwarded it to prosecutors.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
