Former Maui officer pleads guilty
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
A former Maui police officer pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy for his role in what authorities described as the largest crystal methamphetamine distribution ring on Maui.
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James J. Mateaki faces a 10-year sentence and $4 million fine when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor on July 14.
James Mateaki was fired in August from his job as a Maui police officer.
Mateaki, a Maui police officer with nearly nine years of service, was fired in August. Philip Lowenthal, Mateaki's attorney, could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Mateaki was indicted with 40 others in April. As part of his plea agreement, prosecutors dropped three counts against Mateaki that charged him with using a cellular phone to facilitate the distribution of crystal meth.
Mateaki admitted yesterday in federal court that he was a close friend of Polotani Latu, whom prosecutors said was the head of the largest crystal meth distribution ring on Maui from 2000 to 2002.
Mateaki acknowledged that he allowed Latu to use his cellular phone to distribute the drug, said U.S. Assistant Attorney Thomas Muehleck, who prosecuted the case.
Muehleck said Mateaki also registered a car for Latu in Mateaki's name and supplied the drug leader with information from the police department.
Mateaki also provided Latu with the name of a drug dealer after a package containing crystal meth was seized by police, Muehleck said.
"He referred Mr. Latu to another person that Mr. Latu might do drug business with and cautioned Mr. Latu to be careful," Muehleck said.
Although he was not accused of distributing crystal meth, Muehleck said Mateaki knew what was going on.
At one time, Mateaki allowed Latu to use his truck to distribute drugs, Muehleck said. Mateaki also supplied information he obtained from the police department on a car that Latu wanted to take from a drug user to cover a debt.
"Mr. Mateaki was warned by other police officers to stay away from Mr. Latu, that Latu was a known drug dealer," Muehleck said. "Yet he continued his association and friendship with Mr. Latu and did the things that are charged as criminal acts on behalf of Mr. Latu — getting the information, relaying the information, allowing him to use his cell phone."
If Mateaki did not use a firearm in the commission of the crime, was not a leader in the drug ring, and does not have a federal criminal record, Muehleck said, he could receive less than a 10-year sentence.
Latu last week pleaded guilty to one count of conducting a continuing criminal enterprise, which carries a minimum sentence of 20 years and a $4 million fine. Latu admitted obtaining crystal meth and cocaine from suppliers in California and Hawai'i for distribution on Maui.
