Judges strict on
drive-by robbers
The first two of 10 defendants
By Linda Hosek
to be prosecuted get a chilly
reception in federal court
Star-Bulletin
A man who told a federal judge he didn't think robbing tourists by grabbing their purses was "that serious" will serve about five years in prison, the maximum under his sentencing guideline. A second man who apologized through his attorney for the drive-by robberies from stolen cars will serve almost seven years after a different judge rejected a prosecution plea for a lower sentence for his cooperation.
"I have no intention of being lenient," U.S. District Judge David Ezra said yesterday before he sentenced Kenneth Kalei Young to the top of his sentencing range of 51 to 63 months.
"The court cannot look away from the the amount of violence and the defendant's history," U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor said before she sentenced John H. Edwards to 80 months. "He has committed many violent acts."
Young, 22, and Edwards, 21, were the first two of 10 defendants prosecuted under the Hobbs Act, a federal law aimed at those who hurt or potentially hurt interstate commerce.
Prosecutors said the defendants operated a robbery ring for 18 months in which they stole cars, grabbed purses primarily from Japanese tourists and stole getaway cars.
The defendants injured some victims as they drove off and dragged those who didn't let go of their purses or bags.
"How can the defendant think that driving by in an auto, grabbing a purse and dragging the victim along is not serious," Ezra said, referring to Young's actions.
Young pleaded guilty in December to conspiring to rob tourists and to five specific robberies.
But he also faces attempted murder and robbery charges in Circuit Court for allegedly grabbing the purse of a 19-year-old Japanese woman in Waikiki and dragging her under his vehicle. She suffered a broken jaw in the Sept. 30 incident.
Gillmor cited an incident with Edwards in which he grabbed the purse of one victim and struck another in the face.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Butrick said Young and Edwards said they were involved in about 100 robbery incidents.
Ezra recommended education, vocational training and psychological counseling for Young, causing him to laugh.
"Don't laugh, Mr. Young. If you had acted like a mature adult, you wouldn't be sitting here."
He also ordered Young to pay his share of $12,702 in restitution for stolen items and medical bills of the victims.
Dennis Jung, Edwards' attorney, said his client was very sorry and was unaware of the impact of his conduct on tourism.
"He'd like to apologize to each victim," Jung said, adding that Edwards is "actually a decent person."
Butrick said it was hard to believe Edwards didn't realize the impact of his actions.
But he also said Edwards admitted his crimes and his information led to the prosecution of another defendant.
He had recommended that the judge sentence Edwards to 70 months, well below his guideline range of 84 to 105 months.
Gillmor cited Edwards' history of violence, including assault convictions at ages 15, 17 and 18. She also said he was arrested for allegedly hitting his sister in the face and expelled from Kailua High School for striking the principal.
She also ordered him to pay his share of $2,609 in restitution to his victims and called for drug treatment while in prison.
"I recommend you write an apology," she said, adding that she couldn't order him to do it.
