Posted on: Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Ice-case defendant may get clean record

Advertiser Staff

A 33-year-old man who was arrested in a crystal methamphetamine case along with his wife, a former Miss Hawaii USA, was granted a chance yesterday to have his criminal charges dropped.

John Limahai Jr. had pleaded no contest to ice, marijuana and drug paraphernalia charges. He was arrested as police prepared to raid a Kailua home Sept. 14. He also had pleaded guilty to a stolen-car case.

Circuit Judge Richard Pollack granted Limahai's request that the cases will be dropped if he abides by conditions similar to probation for five years and continues getting drug treatment. Pollack also ruled Limahai must serve 91 days in jail but credited him with the 91 days he spent behind bars before he was placed on supervisory release.

Also arrested Sept. 14 was Tiffini Limahai, the 1998 Miss Hawaii USA, who pleaded guilty to ice charges but was also granted a chance earlier this year to have her criminal case dropped if she follows conditions similar to probation for five years and completes a residential drug treatment program.

John Limahai's lawyer, Victor Bakke, said yesterday his client is working as a construction laborer. Bakke said Limahai and his wife are going through divorce proceedings.