Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Leader of 'ice' ring gets 30-year sentence
A 36-year-old Las Vegas man, who headed a ring that shipped more than 1,000 pounds of crystal methamphetamine to Honolulu over five years, was sentenced yesterday to 30 years in federal prison without parole.Michael Schulze did a $1.3 million cash business, making shipments from Las Vegas of up to 15 pounds of crystal meth, or ice, to Honolulu for distribution from 1997 to 2002, U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo Jr. said.
Chief U.S. District Judge David Ezra sentenced Schulze yesterday, imposing a $50,000 fine and ordering the forfeiture of items acquired from proceeds of drug trafficking. They include a Las Vegas house, $180,000 in drug proceeds, two large boats, multiple cars and trucks, a bulldozer and a diamond ring.
Schulze was convicted by a federal jury in February on drug-trafficking conspiracy and drug distribution charges.
The trial evidence revealed Schulze made transactions through about 15 bank accounts. Schulze also set up several dummy corporations through which he laundered drug proceeds.
Sierra Club urges limit on tour-flight heights
The Sierra Club, Hawaii chapter, is asking the Federal Aviation Administration to keep a rule that requires tour helicopters to fly at least 1,500 feet above wilderness areas and national parks."Hawaii's hikers, campers and native forest birds deserve some peace and quiet," said Jeff Mikulina, director of the Sierra Club.
At issue is reauthorization of the 1994 rule, and the public has through Monday to comment on the issue.
3 now accounted for after Roughwater Swim
Three unaccounted-for swimmers who had been feared missing in strong currents at the Waikiki Roughwater Swim were located safely yesterday, the U.S. Coast Guard said.Hundreds of swimmers in the 2.4-mile race Monday had to be rescued because of the strong undertow. Just 356 of 947 participants crossed the finish line, officials said.
The Coast Guard was on the lookout for three swimmers that race officials said had not been accounted for. By 2 a.m. yesterday, all three had been contacted. Two had not even competed in the race.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffNORTH SHORE
A 32-year-old Mililani man, who was indicted last month on a charge of negligent homicide, was arrested Sunday when police spotted him behind the wheel of an allegedly stolen car.
Mililani man arrested on auto theft chargeAlika K. Nomura, of Mililani, was indicted by an Oahu grand jury Aug. 7 and charged with second-degree negligent homicide in a traffic death in Waialua on April 2, 2002.
Mary Tvetene, 60, of Waialua, died when a pickup truck driven by Nomura allegedly struck her car at Farrington Highway and Naluahi Street, police said. Police said he had been speeding.
On Sunday, an officer spotted Nomura at Shark's Cove driving a car that was missing its front license plate. Police said Nomura ran when the officer approached the car.
Police found Nomura hiding on Emerson Road and arrested him for alleged unauthorized control of a vehicle. He was also taken into custody for the negligent homicide charge and a $5,000 bench warrant.
LEEWARD OAHU
Police are asking for the public's help in locating a missing Alzheimer's patient.
Alzheimer's patient missing from WaipahuRose Gordon, 89, of Waipahu, was last seen near Farrington Highway and Leoku Street about 1 p.m. Saturday. She likes to walk in the Waipahu Peninsula area near Ted Makalena Golf Course. She is 5 feet tall, 100 pounds, has gray hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a white T-shirt and blue slacks.
Anyone with information can call the Missing Persons Detail at 529-3064 or the Criminal Investigation Division at 529-3115.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
