A federal judge yesterday sentenced a former Honolulu police officer to 14 years in prison after he pleaded guilty in May to stealing what he thought was methamphetamine and cocaine in a federal sting operation.

U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway also sentenced Harold Cabbab Jr. to five years of supervised release once he is freed from prison. Cabbab, who will be credited for the year he has spent in custody, will be sent to a Mainland facility to serve his time.

In a tearful statement to Mollway, Cabbab accepted responsibility for his actions and apologized for his "betrayal of trust" to the community. Cabbab, 35, was a 10-year veteran of the police force.

Cabbab also apologized to the police department and said his actions were not a reflection of its chief and fellow officers. He then apologized to his mother, wife and two young children.

He told Mollway that his mother taught him the difference between right and wrong and that he tried to instill that in his children. Cabbab said there is no way he can justify what he did.

He added that he has a different perspective on life and that God, family and community should have been his top priorities. Cabbab said he will use his time in prison to rehabilitate himself.

"I know that I have done wrong and that I need to prove myself," he said.

Cabbab pleaded guilty to stealing what he believed was the drug "ice" from a self-storage locker on Dec. 10, 2004. Cabbab thought he could make $100,000 and planned the theft with an unidentified person who was cooperating with law enforcement, prosecutors said.

Mollway yesterday said she was impressed by the number of people who showed their support for Cabbab. Before entering the courtroom, about 60 family members and supporters held hands in a prayer circle, and many had sent letters to Mollway to vouch for Cabbab's character.

However, Mollway said Cabbab took an oath to uphold the law and protect the community, but that he became "the ultimate law-breaker himself." She said Cabbab was "counting on getting away" with stealing drugs because he was a police officer.

"That is the height of an abuse of trust," Mollway said.

She said Cabbab had a gambling problem that "took over your life and has caused devastation to your family."

When Mollway announced the sentence, Cabbab lowered his head and many supporters wept.

The law required a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, while federal sentencing guidelines called for a prison term of 14 to 17 1/2 years. David Klein, Cabbab's attorney, asked for the 10-year term, but Mollway agreed with Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Kawahara that Cabbab serve 14 years.

Klein said Cabbab was disappointed with the sentence.

"It's a shock to everyone. I think it's upsetting to everyone," Klein said. "It's a very difficult thing for himself and for his family to deal with."

But Klein said Cabbab accepted the judge's decision.

"Harold truly accepted responsibility for his conduct and is really looking forward to completing his sentence, even though it is a long sentence, and hopefully getting back into the community and helping," Klein said.

Kawahara said the sentence was fair. "He was really abusing his police trust and authority," Kawahara said. "For the amount of drugs here that he thought he was ripping off, that's quite appropriate."

Outside the courtroom, Tenari Maafala, president of the State of Hawai'i Organization of Police Officers, said it was a "dark day for us."

"It does hurt," he said. "I feel not only for Harold, but for his wife and his children and the rest of the family."

Chief Boisse Correa said he also was saddened for the Cabbab family.

"However, the sentence sends a clear message that no one is above the law," Correa said. "We will continue to work with federal investigators and do whatever else is necessary to maintain the public's trust in HPD. Our officers must be above reproach in order for the department to give the community the excellent service that it deserves."

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.