Volcano man faces drug charges
A 42-year-old Volcano man pleaded not guilty Monday to four drug-related felonies related to attempted distribution of methamphetamine.
Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto set trial for Eric W. Clough for Sept. 18.
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A Hilo grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Clough on April 5. Clough is charged with two counts of first-degree attempted promotion of a dangerous drug, and single counts of second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.
According to county Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen, on March 12 Clough received a parcel containing almost a pound of methamphetamine at the Volcano Post Office.
At Clough’s arraignment Monday, Deputy Public Defender Kenji Akamu requested that Clough be freed from custody on court-supervised release, but Deputy Prosecutor Duane Kokesch argued that Clough’s bail should be maintained as set by a bench warrant accompanying the indictment.
Nakamoto maintained Clough’s bail at $135,000, citing the seriousness of the alleged offenses.
Court records indicate that Clough posted bail and has been free since Wednesday.
The most serious offenses — attempted first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug — are Class A felonies punishable by up to 20-years imprisonment or 10 years of probation with a jail term of up to two years.
Court records indicate Clough’s only convictions in Hawaii are for traffic offenses.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
