Authorities say a routine traffic stop in Puna resulted in the arrest of a felon and recovery of more than 400 grams of crystal methamphetamine, smaller amounts of cocaine and heroin and a loaded semi-automatic 9mm pistol.
According to court documents filed by police, at about 1:22 p.m. Friday, officers pulled over a lifted silver Toyota Tacoma pickup truck because the smoke-colored license plate covers made the plates difficult to read and because the truck had “wide aftermarket rims and tires.” The traffic stop happened on Highway 11 in Keaau, just south of the intersection of Highway 130, documents state.
The driver of the truck was identified as 39-year-old Jantzen-James K. Mata of Hilo, whom police said was arrested without incident on an outstanding traffic warrant.
Documents state a search of Mata turned up a glass smoking pipe with methamphetamine residue in his front left shorts pocket.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for the truck, according to documents, and found just over 400 grams of methamphetamine, 1.99 grams of black tar heroin and 1.49 grams of cocaine.
Also recovered, documents state, was a 9mm Smith &Wesson semi-automatic pistol with nine rounds in the magazine and both 9 mm and .357 caliber ammunition. Mata, according to documents, has six prior felony convictions and isn’t legally allowed to own or possess firearms or ammo.
In addition, $1,238 in cash was seized for possible forfeiture.
Police charged Mata with first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, attempted first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, three counts of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, possession of a firearm with intent to facilitate a felony drug offense, illegal place to keep firearm, carrying a loaded firearm on a public highway, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and DUI.
Prosecutors set Mata’s bail at $611,000.
At Mata’s initial court appearance Monday, Deputy Public Defender Jared Auna requested Hilo District Judge Mahilani Hiatt reduce Mata’s bail to $25,000 and Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Son objected.
Hiatt reduced Mata’s bail to $411,000 and ordered him to return for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
The most serious offenses, first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, attempted first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possession of a firearm with intent to facilitate a felony drug offense are all Class A felonies that normally carry a maximum prison term of 20 years upon conviction. Prosecutors have provided notice that, if Mata convicted as charged, they will be seeking an extended term of imprisonment.
Mata remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com
