HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR020818OPA04,
BERNARDP. CARVALHO JR.WALLACE REZENTES JR.
Mayor Managing Director
COUNTY OF KAUA'I
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
News Release
For Immediate Release: February 8, 2018
JUSTIN KOLLAR, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
Tel (808) 241-1888
Fax (808) 241-1758
Prison sentences handed down in meth case
LIHU`E — Michelle Salvas and Cory Sarmiento, both 38, formerly of Lihu'e, were each
sentenced to serve prison terms for their involvement in a July 2012 incident, in which they led
police on a chase through the back roads of Wailua, rammed a Kaua'i Police Department
vehicle, and were found in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Following years of protracted litigation, the couple was convicted by a Fifth Circuit jury
following a trial in July 2017 of multiple felony drug charges as well as Resisting an Order to Stop
a Motor Vehicle. While they were pending sentencing, Salvas and Sarmiento apparently fled to
the mainland. They were eventually apprehended in Washington and extradited back to Kauai.
Salvas was sentenced on February 1 to serve concurrent five-year prison terms for two
charges of Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree.
Sarmiento was sentenced today to serve concurrent five-year prison terms for two
charges of Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree and a consecutive one-year
sentence for the Resisting Order to Stop a Motor Vehicle charge.
Salvas and Sarmiento each also face felony Bail Jumping charges. Those cases are set
for trial later this year. The defendants are presumed innocent until proved guilty of those
charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Salvas was represented at trial by Dan Hempey, Esq. and Sarmiento was represented by
Myles Breiner, Esq. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tim Tate tried the case and Deputy
Prosecuting Attorney Sean Van Demark represented the State at sentencing. The case was
investigated by the KPD Vice/Narcotics unit.
"The men and women of the Kauai Police Department put themselves in harm's way
every day to protect this community. We are pleased that Chief Judge Valenciano acknowledged
that by imposing the consecutive sentence on Sarmiento," stated Prosecuting Attorney Justin F.
Kollar. "We thank all the police and prosecutors who worked on this case as it worked its way
through the system. This should be a message to those who spread methamphetamine in our
community. We will not give up and we will not stop in our efforts to eradicate ice."
Cory Sarmiento, 38, of Kapa`a.
Michelle Salvas, 38, of Kapa`a.