10 years in meth case

A 52-year-old Pahoa man who was in possession of almost 12 ounces of crystal methamphetamine, or “ice,” when he was arrested in June was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison.

Hilo Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura said Dorbert K. Correa would have to serve a minimum of 40 months behind bars before he could be considered for parole.

As part of a deal with prosecutors, Correa pleaded guilty Oct. 3 to second- and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving without a license.

Correa originally was charged with first-degree methamphetamine trafficking, a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, but that law was repealed.

Correa was on a prison furlough for a previous conviction for drug and firearms offenses when he was arrested June 20 after police executed a search warrant on his vehicle on Banyan Drive in Hilo.

According to court documents, a backpack was found containing 338 grams of methamphetamine, as well as a scale with meth on its platform and base, plus unused ziplock packets.

Police estimated the street value of the drug to be $15,000.

Correa was one of two people ordered in January 2013 by Hilo Circuit Judge Glenn Hara to permanently vacate a Kaumana Drive home described as a “drug house” in a civil nuisance abatement action brought by County Prosecutor Mitch Roth.

The original indictment for the case Correa was sentenced for describe him as a “persistent offender” and “professional criminal” who “has knowingly engaged in criminal activity as a major source of livelihood; or … has substantial income or resources not explained to be derived from a source other than a criminal activity.”

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.