Posted at 1:15 p.m., Tuesday, December 27, 2005
HPD officer pleads guilty to selling 'ice'
Advertiser Staff
A Honolulu police officer could face life in prison after pleading guilty in U.S. District Court this morning to selling crystal methamphetamine to a government informant.Robert Sylva, 50, has been in custody since his arrest in late March on charges that he sold crystal methamphetamine on three occasions to a cooperating witness. Sylva had previously pleaded not guilty. He faces 10 years to life in prison and up to a $4 million fine if convicted. He is in custody at the Federal Detention Center at the airport.
One of Sylva's alleged sales occurred in the parking lot of the Sports Authority on Ward Avenue while Sylva was wearing his HPD uniform, according to prosecutors.
Sylva's attorney, Alvin Nishimura, said Sylva's life fell apart after his parents and young child all died within a short period of time in 2004. Sylva became depressed and sold drugs to help support "various" girlfriends' ice habits, according to Nishimura.
