Federal authorities yesterday charged a former Honolulu police officer who has a history of reckless use of firearms, drug use and abuse, for allegedly using illicit drugs and possessing three handguns, including one with a defaced serial number.

Rik Mikio Orton, once hailed as a hero for capturing a prison escapee, was arrested Thursday after a five-hour standoff at his Laie home. He allegedly had threatened to shoot police officers who responded to his girlfriend's call for help after he allegedly abused the 40-year-old woman, who is also a former police officer, and a 17-year-old girl.

Orton was charged yesterday with one count of possessing a firearm that had its serial number removed, obliterated and altered—a North American Arms mini .22-caliber revolver. He was also charged with being an unlawful user of drugs in possession of firearms.

On Thursday, Orton allegedly had physically abused his girlfriend of eight months, evidenced by bruising and redness on both her arms, according to a complaint filed yesterday in U.S. District Court. She disclosed Orton, allegedly under the influence of OxyContin, had abused her since November when they began living together, often pulling her hair, slapping her, grabbing her throat and choking her.

Police recovered three loaded guns from under a mattress at Orton's Laie house, as well as ammunition, a marijuana pipe and what appeared to be marijuana and vials of suspected steroids, needles and syringes hidden in the drawer of a platform bed.

The federal charge related to being a drug user in possession of firearms is a reason why the case was brought before the federal court, a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives official said.

Court records show several TROs have been filed by different women against Orton.

In 2004, then-police officer Orton pleaded guilty in Circuit Court to reckless endangering for intentionally discharging a firearm Sept. 26, 2003, on or in the direction of a public roadway.

In 2003, then-Assistant Chief Boisse Correa called Orton a hero after he persuaded one of two men who escaped from prison with bank robber Albert Batalona to surrender after hiding in Hauula Valley for nearly a week.