Robbery accomplice receives probation

A 37-year-old Hilo man received a four-year probation term for his role in the robbery of a homeless man last year in Hilo.

Wayne Wesley Geil was also sentenced to a year in jail, with credit for time served and the remainder stayed, which means Geil will remain free as long as he complies with probation.

In a deal with prosecutors, Geil pleaded guilty in February to accessory to second-degree robbery, plus third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and drug paraphernalia. In return, a charge of accessory to first-degree robbery was reduced and a petty misdemeanor theft charge in the drug case was dropped.

“I made an honest mistake and I regret it,” Geil told Acting Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto.

Geil’s court-appointed attorney, Gary Zamber, told the judge Geil has done “very well with his pre-sentence conditions” and has tested clean for drugs.

“He has been attending Lokahi (drug treatment). They’re looking forward to graduation soon. … In this matter, he was a relatively minor participant. … Nonetheless, he does recognize this was a very significant action,” Zamber said.

The incident took place at about 4:45 a.m. Oct. 25 at Reeds Bay Beach Park on Banyan Drive. According to police, 19-year-old Lawrence Kaaumoana-Ferreira allegedly hit the victim, 41-year-old Jeffrey Thome, in the left arm with an unknown metal object. Geil admitted to taking Thome’s backpack, which reportedly contained belongings worth about $265.

Thome was taken to Hilo Medical Center where he was diagnosed with fractures of his radius and ulna just above the wrist. Terms of Geil’s probation include that he testify against Kaaumoana-Ferreira if his case goes to trial.

“I notice you’ve been turning your life around and hope you stay on that path,” Nakamoto told Geil before the latter left the courtroom, a free man.

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