The Maui News

WAILUKU — “No more mooching off mom,” a judge told a man who was sentenced for forging his mother’s checks.

Brent Okamura-Johnson, 36, was placed on one year’s probation as part of the sentence imposed last month.

Okamura-Johnson forged his mother’s signature on four checks in late October and early November 2017, according to a police investigation.

Second Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo noted the crimes were discovered after Okamura-Johnson picked his mother up when she was discharged from the hospital and he asked to borrow money. When he took her to withdraw money from American Savings Bank on Market Street in Wailuku, tellers alerted her that her son had been at the bank the day before trying to cash the forged checks, Loo said.

“It’s such a sad situation,” Loo said. “I’m sure she loves you and she wants to help you, but you’re just a big moocher.

“At 36 years old, you should probably be living under your roof.”

Loo noted that Okamura-Johnson told police that he relied on his mother for money.

Okamura-Johnson had pleaded no contest to reduced charges of third-degree theft, two counts of third-degree forgery and second-degree bail jumping.

“A sad and unfortunate relationship between a mother and a son, combined with drug use and drug addiction, leads to this,” said Deputy Public Defender Ben Lowenthal.

“This whole last year has been one of the worst years of my life,” Okamura-Johnson said in court. “I miss my mom. I wish I could repair this relationship. I want to be able to show progress so she can see that.”

Despite a restraining order, his mother reported that Okamura-Johnson had gone to her house as recently as the morning before he was sentenced, said Deputy Prosecutor Jeffery Temas.

He said he received a call from Okamura-Johnson’s mother, who was “almost pleading” that she didn’t want him to return.

“Like the moth to the flame, he keeps going back and back and back,” Temas said. “He’s got a drug addiction that needs to be addressed.”

Okamura-Johnson was ordered to pay $834 in restitution to the bank and to perform 100 hours of community service. He was given credit for 30 days he spent in jail.

He was ordered to write a letter apologizing to his mother, to be delivered to his probation officer, and to have no contact with his mother as long as the restraining order is in place.