The Maui News

WAILUKU — A Wailuku man is completing a 45-day jail term after guns and drugs were seized in a search of his residence three years ago.

Charles Serrano, 48, also was placed on four years’ probation at his sentencing Jan. 3.

In the Sept. 7, 2016, search, police reported recovering a Sentinel .22-caliber revolver, an Astra 9 mm pistol, a Ruger .22-caliber rifle, 37 rounds of .22-caliber ammunition, 46 rounds of 9 mm ammunition and 37 rounds of .223-caliber ammunition, as well as methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to a complaint filed in court.

As a convicted felon, Serrano isn’t allowed to possess firearms and ammunition.

Although he had pleaded no contest to charges, Serrano said he “unknowingly” engaged in criminal behavior in letters to the court, said Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Martin.

He said Serrano has an extensive criminal history.

“A person who is that experienced of a criminal knows exactly the difference between right and wrong,” Martin said. “He’s just someone who chooses not to go down the path of right and seems to consistently choose the path of wrong.”

Defense attorney Gustavo Gonzalez said Serrano doesn’t have an extensive criminal history on Maui, with mostly traffic offenses over the past 20 years.

Serrano was working full time and helping his mother, Gonzalez said.

Serrano said the drugs found by police were in his friend’s purse.

“So the drugs were in your house, the guns were in your house,” 2nd Circuit Judge Peter Cahill said. “So isn’t that breaking the law? Yes.”

“There was nothing nefarious going on,” Serrano said. “I just was trying to help my brother. My mother and father were aware of what was going on. I’m just sorry that this happened.”

Cahill said Serrano was convicted of a felony and spent time in jail for drug possession in California about 30 years ago.

“It doesn’t help you to get your parents involved in your crimes,” the judge told Serrano.

Serrano had pleaded no contest to three counts each of being a felon in possession of a firearm and being a felon in possession of ammunition, as well as third-degree promoting of a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia.

The firearms and ammunition seized were ordered forfeited to the state.