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Haiku man ‘glad’ he’ll serve five-year prison sentence

WAILUKU — A man who said he wasn’t ready to be released from jail was sentenced Thursday to a five-year prison term.

Shane Kai Such, 35, of Haiku had agreed to the sentence in a plea agreement with the prosecution.

In two cases, he had pleaded no contest to fraudulent use of a credit card and third-degree theft, with the prosecution dismissing other charges.

“I’m glad I’m going to do my time,” Such said in court. “If you let me out of the gate right now, I don’t know what to do yet. I’m still healing.”

He apologized to the victims, saying they “got caught up” in his criminal activity. “When I’m out there, I’m not discriminating,” Such said.

He was sentenced for crimes that occurred in 2015.

Second Circuit Judge Peter Cahill followed the plea agreement in sentencing Such.

“I find what you say somewhat refreshing,” the judge told the defendant. “I got somebody who acknowledges they’re a criminal, that they’re going to continue with criminal behaviors.”

While Such said there were problems with the system, Cahill noted that Such’s participation in the Maui Drug Court had worked.

“It’s not a flawed system, but we’re dealing with people’s behaviors and the behaviors are flawed,” Cahill said.

In 2010, Such had charges dismissed in four criminal cases when he successfully completed the program of treatment and supervision, according to court records.

“When I graduated from Drug Court, I did really well for three and a half years,” Such said.

But after becoming homeless, he was arrested for new crimes, he said.

In September 2012, Such was sentenced to a five-year prison term for first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.

For his most recent case, Such said he expected to be required to serve the entire prison term. But he said he hoped he eventually might be furloughed to work.

Judge Cahill said he thought that when released, Such could provide insight to those who work with criminal defendants. Such said he hoped to do that.

“I think I’m going to be all right,” he said. “I’ve got my mom. She’s real supportive.”

Such was ordered to pay restitution totaling $2,497.

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