Suspect in traffic death
faces federal charge

Andres Paredes, who admitted
to drug use, illegally got a gun

A man who pleaded no contest last week to manslaughter for killing an elderly pedestrian near the Diamond Head Lighthouse over a year ago has been indicted in U.S. District Court on an additional charge.

Andres Paredes, 33, was named in a superseding indictment filed yesterday with making false written statements to a licensed gun dealer regarding his use or addiction to drugs. By law, drug users cannot lawfully acquire firearms.

On March 12, 2004, Paredes was arrested by Honolulu police for suspicion of negligent homicide after he struck and killed 76-year-old Barbara Gallicchio as she was taking a walk on Diamond Head Road.

Police found a 12-gauge shotgun and packets of crystal methamphetamine in Paredes' car after the accident.

He was charged with possessing crystal methamphetamine with intent to distribute, using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and being an unlawful user of a drug in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

He later admitted to federal investigators that he was a drug trafficker, habitual user of "ice" and that he used the shotgun for security. He also admitted he had been smoking ice the night before the accident.

Paredes faces a maximum 20-year prison term for the manslaughter when sentenced Aug. 10 in Honolulu Circuit Court.

He will appear in U.S. District Court on May 24 on the latest federal charge.