Police: Brennan ‘heavily intoxicated’ when arrested for trespassing

COLT BRENNAN
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A former star quarterback at the University of Hawaii was arrested Saturday after allegedly causing a drunken disturbance at a Kailua-Kona hotel.

According to a police log, 36-year-old Colt Brennan was taken into custody at 4:05 p.m. Saturday and charged with second-degree trespassing. Brennan’s hometown was listed as Kailua-Kona on the log.

The criminal complaint, filed by prosecutors, said Brennan “intentionally, knowing, or recklessly entered or remained unlawfully” at the Kona Seaside Hotel “after reasonable warning or request to leave by the owner.”

The charge is a petty misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

According to police Sgt. Jason Grouns, Brennan, who had a room in the Palani Road hotel, was “heavily intoxicated and causing a disturbance.”

“Hotel management called police. He was served with a trespass notice but refused to cooperate and was subsequently arrested and charged,” Grouns said in an email Monday.

Grouns said Brennan was taken into custody in a hotel hallway after refusing to leave as requested by the hotel manager.

Brennan, who was held on $250 unposted bail, made his initial court appearance Monday morning.

Deputy Public Defender David Saiki requested Brennan be released on court-supervised release without monetary bail, and Kona District Judge Margaret Masunaga granted the motion without objection by Deputy Prosecutor Kori Weinberger.

Masunaga ordered Brennan to return to court at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 17.

While his criminal record is minimal, Brennan — who was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round — has been the subject of numerous well-publicized run-ins with authorities.

Most recently, Brennan was arrested Dec. 10, 2019, in Kaneohe, Oahu, and charged with DUI, driving without insurance and leaving the scene of an accident involving vehicle or property damage. That case is still active, and he has an Aug. 12 court date in Kaneohe.

In August 2015, Brennan was charged with filing a false report that his vehicle was stolen. His lawyer blamed a Nov. 19, 2010 head-on crash on the Queen Kaahumanu Highway for Brennan experiencing memory problems, leading to the false stolen vehicle report.

The state dismissed the case in December 2006.

Brennan was hospitalized for eight days with head, rib and collarbone injuries after the 2010 crash, in which he was a passenger in an SUV driven by his girlfriend. The other driver, a Waikoloa woman, was critically injured.

In July 2013, Brennan pleaded no contest to DUI after being stopped more than a year earlier in Kailua, Oahu, for allegedly speeding. Police said Brennan’s blood-alcohol content was 0.17, more than twice the legal limit. He paid $162 in court fees.

In 2006, Brennan, then a junior at UH, threw 58 touchdown passes, setting an NCAA single-season record. That record was eclipsed last year by Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow of Louisiana State University.

Brennan stayed for his senior season and led the Warriors, coached by June Jones, to a 12-0 regular season record.

One of four finalists for the 2007 Heisman trophy, Brennan finished third behind Tim Tebow of Florida and Darren McFadden of Arkansas.

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