HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR072417Juryfindspairguiltyinmethamphetaminecase
C OU NT Y O F KAU A‘I
BERNARD P. CARVALHO JR.
Mayor
WALLACE REZENTES JR.
Managing Director
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
News Release
For Immediate Release: July 24, 2017
JUSTIN KOLLAR, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
Tel (808) 241-1888
Fax (808) 241-1758
Jury finds pair guilty in methamphetamine case
Līhu‘e – Prosecuting Attorney Justin F. Kollar announced today that a fifth circuit jury
found Michelle Salvas and Cory Sarmiento, both 38 and of Kapa‘a, guilty of 11 of 12 counts in
the felony information and non-felony complaint relating to crystal methamphetamine and drug
paraphernalia found in their vehicle after a lengthy police chase in July of 2012.
The jury returned its verdict following a week-long trial in front of Fifth Circuit Chief Judge
Randal G.B. Valenciano. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tim Tate led the prosecution and Deputy
Prosecuting Attorney Ginger Grinpas assisted. Salvas was represented at trial by Daniel G.
Hempey, Esq., and Sarmiento was represented by Myles Breiner, Esq.
Witnesses testified that police initially approached the pair in their vehicle to execute a
search warrant but the pair fled in their vehicle, leading police on a chase through the Wailua
area, throwing drugs and paraphernalia out of their vehicle at one point. Eventually the vehicle
was stopped and searched, leading to the recovery of crystal methamphetamine and other drug
evidence as well as a police scanner that was being used to monitor police radio
communications.
The jury found Sarmiento guilty of two counts each of Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the
Third Degree and Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia, all class C felonies, as well as one count
each of Resisting an Order to Stop and Promoting a Detrimental Drug in the Third degree.
Sarmiento faces up to five years in prison on each felony count, a year on the Resisting
Order to Stop charge and 30 days for the Promoting a Detrimental Drug charge. Salvas was
found guilty of two counts each of Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree and
Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia. She faces up to five years in prison for each felony charge.
“Crystal methamphetamine destroys lives and it cannot be tolerated in our community,”
Prosecuting Attorney Justin F. Kollar stated. “My Office will continue to vigorously prosecute
those who contribute to its presence on Kaua‘i.”
Salvas and Sarmiento will be sentenced on October 12, 2017.
Cory Sarmiento, 38, of Kapa‘a.
Michelle Salvas, 38, of Kapa‘a.
###