A 22-year-old Hilo man is accused of possessing almost a pound of meth after an alleged firearm incident Saturday in Waiakea Uka led to a search warrant.
Daryl Chris Sampaga is charged with first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, attempted first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, first-degree terroristic threatening, prohibited possession of a firearm and ammunition, illegally carrying a firearm, and altering the identification marks on a firearm.
According to Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen, Sampaga was arrested and later charged after a terroristic threatening incident with a firearm that occurred outside Sampaga’s Hoomalu Steet residence. The victims, according to court documents filed by police, are two adult sisters of Sampaga.
Court documents state the search warrant was executed on the home as well as a Toyota Tacoma pickup belonging to Sampaia. The search allegedly turned up more than 424 grams of methamphetamine and a Ruger LCP 380 caliber semi-automatic handgun.
Sampaga has three previous felony charges active in the court system and is not legally allowed to have a firearm or ammunition, documents state.
Deputy Public Defender Jared Auna on Monday asked Hilo District Judge Jeffrey Hawk to free Sampaga on supervised release — a form of cashless bail. Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Son objected to the motion.
Hawk maintained Sampaga’s bail at $390,000 and ordered him to return to court today for a preliminary hearing.
The most serious charges, those for methamphetamine, are Class A felonies that carry a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment upon conviction.
Sampaga remained in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com
