Posted on: Tuesday, August 5, 2003

Woman in cruise-ship threats allowed to meet with boyfriend

By David Waite
Advertiser Courts Writer

A 20-year-old Southern California woman who is awaiting sentencing for posting threatening notes that forced a cruise ship to make an unscheduled stop in Honolulu in April can meet with her boyfriend, who is also the father of her infant daughter, a federal magistrate judge ruled yesterday.

Kelley Marie Ferguson pleaded guilty in May to posting two threatening letters aboard a cruise ship that was en route from Ensenada, Mexico, to Hilo. Because she was pregnant, Ferguson was allowed to return to her parents' home in Laguna Hills, Calif., to await sentencing, which is set for Sept. 22.

Federal Magistrate Judge Kevin Chang placed Ferguson under conditions similar to house arrest while waiting to be sentenced, one of which was that she have no contact with her boyfriend and father of her baby.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Sorenson said Ferguson's parents believe her boyfriend, "who has a lengthy criminal record," is a "negative influence" in her life and don't want their daughter to be manipulated by him.

But Ferguson's lawyer, federal Deputy Public Defender Loretta Faymonville, said Ferguson and her boyfriend are both adults and the parents of a six-week-old girl and have a right to communicate about the needs of their daughter.

While any meetings between Ferguson and her boyfriend must take place at her parent's home, Chang rejected a request by Sorenson that Ferguson's mother or father be present in the same room whenever the boyfriend visits the Ferguson home.

Reach David Waite at dwaite@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8030.