44 year-old Douglas Louis of Pahala was arrested and charged with meth and firearms offenses following a report of suspicious vehicle in Hilo.
According to reports, police recovered over 1.8 pounds of methamphetamine, two ghost guns, an AR-15 style rifle and .45 caliber pistol, a Ruger .22 caliber rifle, and ammunition following a search warrant on the vehicle Louis was operating. He was arrested on three other unrelated outstanding warrants.
Yesterday, Louis made his initial Hilo District Court appearance where his bail was maintained at $485,000.00 and he was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing tomorrow.
As the Complaint alleges, Louis is charged with Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree (possess one ounce or more of methamphetamine), Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree, Place to Keep Pistol or Revolver, Place to Keep Ammunition, Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree, Ownership, Possession or Control of Ammunition Prohibited, three counts of Ownership, Possession or Control of Firearm Prohibited, three counts of Permits to Acquire, three counts of Registration Mandatory, two counts of Place to Keep Unloaded Firearms Other Than Pistols and Revolvers, and two counts of Ownership Prohibited (“ghost gun”). The most serious offense, Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree, is a class A felony offense and carries a penalty of either a twenty-year prison term or ten years probation and up to two years in jail. Place to Keep Pistol or Revolver and Ownership, Possession or Control Prohibited are both class B felony offenses and carry a penalty of either a ten-year prison term or four years probation and up to eighteen months in jail.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Malate.
HPD Photo
