Puna Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Felony Property and Drug Crimes

This week, 36 year-old Albert Kumia Jr. of Puna was sentenced to concurrent prison terms in Hilo Circuit Court for Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree and a number of other property and drug offenses.
At the time of the commission of the Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree offense, Kumia was on probation for felony property and drug crimes.
On September 7, 2022, Kumia entered a “Guilty” plea to the offense of Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree in relation to a Honda CRV that was originally reported stolen from the Hilo HPM Building Supply parking lot on May 7, 2022.
The investigation was handled by the Special Enforcement Unit, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The cases were prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elyssa Correia Keltner.
In a press release Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen said, “Our Office believed that a 15 year prison term was justified based on the facts and circumstances of this case. We will continue to seek appropriate sentences for felony property offenders and those who repeatedly victimize our community.”
 
Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney