Posted on: Saturday, March 15, 2008
Five repeat offenders face new charges
Advertiser Staff
Five more repeat offenders are being prosecuted this year for alleged firearms and other offenses in a statewide, federal program aimed at removing "predators from our streets," U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo announced yesterday.
Since 2003, the Project Safe Neighborhoods in Hawai'i program has seen more than 200 repeat offenders prosecuted under federal statutes that prohibit felons, drug users, illegal aliens or people with histories of domestic violence from possessing firearms or even a single bullet, Kubo said.
"This program works because it removes hardened predators from our streets," Kubo said, "and I truly believe saves lives and potential victims in our communities — thus making our neighborhoods safer."
In the latest prosecutions, the five suspects accounted for more than 160 prior arrests and nearly 60 convictions:
Kadon Zimmerman, who has 33 prior arrests and 14 convictions, including felony assault and abuse of a family member, was arrested on Maui in February after an eight-hour standoff. Zimmerman was allegedly on ice and armed with a pistol and also had a shotgun in his possession, Kubo said.
Gregory Ritter, who has 60 prior arrests and 17 convictions, was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was arrested March 9 by Honolulu police who allegedly found a .45 caliber revolver, 25 rounds of ammunition and a packet of ice.
Mario Tuua, who has three prior arrests here and in San Francisco, was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition; one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; and one count of carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. He was arrested by HPD near North Kukui Street and River Street while allegedly conducting a drug transaction and officers retrieved a loaded .45 caliber pistol, 56 grams of crack cocaine and $13,000 in cash.
Romerick Tabuyo, who has 23 prior arrests and 10 convictions, was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury on two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Police arrested him March 6 at 'Aiea District Park allegedly with a loaded, stolen semi-automatic pistol and officers allegedly recovered a shotgun, shotgun shells and pistol ammunition from his car, along with ice and drug paraphernalia.
Usai Musika, who has 43 prior arrests and 13 convictions, was charged on Wednesday with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Kaua'i police arrested Musika in Nawiliwili Park on Feb. 28 when a witness alleged that Musika threatened him with a gun. Musika allegedly hit an officer in the face and was discovered with a loaded, .40 caliber Beretta, Kubo said.
