Posted on: Thursday, April 12, 2001

Maui police officer found guilty of threatening wife

By Christie Wilson
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

WAILUKU, Maui — A Maui police officer was jailed yesterday after being found guilty of first-degree terroristic threatening and three counts of abuse of a family member.

Because Phillip Bugado Jr., 29, used a semiautomatic handgun to threaten his wife, he will receive a mandatory minimum term of five years when sentenced June 7. At the request of Deputy Prosecutor Melinda Mendes, 2nd Circuit Judge Shackley Raffetto denied bail for Bugado and ordered him confined at the Maui Community Correctional Center.

"It's an unfortunate reality that abuse in the family is happening across all backgrounds and occupations," Mendes said after the verdict. She praised the Maui Police Department for its investigation of the case and said Bugado's crimes are not a reflection on the entire force.

Bugado, who joined the Maui Police Department in 1992, was accused of threatening his wife with a 40-caliber Glock pistol and shoving and punching her at their ?'ao Parkside residence Feb. 13, 2000.

Then, on March 6, 2000, he choked and punched her. Because he carried her into another room against her will, he also was charged with, and found guilty of, second-degree unlawful imprisonment.

The jury acquitted him of a fourth abuse charge.

All the incidents took place while Bugado was off duty, Mendes said. They are now divorced.

The defendant earlier pleaded no contest to possessing a firearm in violation of the temporary restraining order his wife had obtained against him March 8, 2000. Mendes said the officer was found to have two unregistered handguns in his possession at the time.

Because the guns were never recovered, Mendes asked the judge not to let Bugado remain free while awaiting sentencing.