WAILUKU, Hawai'i — A man who had a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in his Maui apartment has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Circuit Judge Joel August also ordered Rudy Z. Bernardino to serve at least two years behind bars. The Hawaii Paroling Authority will determine how long Bernardino must serve before becoming eligible for parole.

Bernardino had pleaded no contest to first-degree methamphetamine trafficking. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss other charges.

Noting that Bernardino could have been received a minimum sentence of eight years, August said Friday that Bernardino benefited from a "very lenient agreement, given the magnitude of the conduct underlying this."

"There's no question he received a benefit from the state and the court with this agreement," Deputy Prosecutor Robert Rivera said. "Hopefully, he does not make a mockery of this."

Bernardino graduated from the Maui Drug Court in July 2005. He was arrested March 5, 2007, when vice officers executed a search warrant for his apartment.

Officers reported recovering more than an ounce of methamphetamine, as well as chemicals associated with the processing of methamphetamine. They also reported finding a loaded .45-caliber revolver and a glass smoking pipe.

Deputy Public Defender Wendy Hudson said her client started drug treatment and landed a job after his arrest.

Hudson said several family member were at Friday's sentencing to show their support for Bernardino, who had been held since August on $150,000 bail.

"Rudy has a very good chance of rehabilitation because of his family support," Hudson said. "He's going to come out of this as a very good father, son, brother and uncle."

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Information from: The Maui News, www.mauinews.com