Posted at 1:55 p.m., Thursday, May 15, 2003
Probation violated in theft case
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
An angry Circuit Judge Wilfred Watanabe, who had originally sentenced Santos in May 2001, yesterday chastised him. "I stuck my neck out for you the first time and I am not going to do it again," he said in court.
Santos had been given five years probation but Watanabe yesterday changed that to a five-year prison term, said Jim Fulton, spokesman for the Honolulu prosecutor's office.
Fulton said Santos violated several conditions of his probation.
Santos did not serve any of his 500 hours of community service, twice violated a protective order filed against him by his girlfriend, did not get substance abuse treatment, did not get a job and changed his address, Fulton said.
"He violated virtually every condition of his probation," Fulton said.
Santos stole money raised for two Manoa Pop Warner football teams. He pleaded no contest in April 2000 to six counts of second-degree theft and attempted theft.
He was accused of stealing about $8,000 raised through the sale of kalua pig tickets for the football teams' trip to Las Vegas, and $2,250 intended for travel expenses. His son played for one of the teams.
Santos used the money to take his family to Las Vegas.
Deputy prosecutor Alfred Brunn Jr. today said the prison time is "long overdue."
"I don't think he deserved to be on probation in the first place," Brunn said. "He stole from a lot of people. He disappointed a lot of people and the community."
Reach Mike Gordon at 525-8012 or mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com.