Trending
The Maui News
WAILUKU -- Saying he was concerned about the combination of weapons and drugs, a judge kept bail at $500,000 for a Waiehu man who was allegedly found with handmade guns, drugs and other weapons when he was arrested last week.
Keopele Decambra, 32, was charged with two counts each of keeping a pistol or revolver in an improper place, prohibited possession of a firearm, failing to obtain a permit to acquire a firearm and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, as well as third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, carrying deadly weapons and possession of electric guns.
Police had warrants to search Decambra and his vehicle when he was pulled over in a traffic stop Wednesday morning on High Street in Wailuku. Deputy Prosecutor Lewis Littlepage said police reported finding Decambra with two handmade guns, drugs, brass knuckles and a stun gun.
The firearms were 9mm pistols with no serial numbers, according to the complaint against Decambra. The complaint alleges he possessed methamphetamine, oxycodone and marijuana.
"He had threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend," Littlepage said during Decambra's initial appearance Monday in Wailuku District Court. "We do believe that he is a danger to the community," particularly to his ex-girlfriend.
Littlepage said a restraining order against Decambra hadn't been served before the search warrant was executed.
Defense attorney Kristin Coccaro said the alleged threat was a text message to a mutual friend of Decambra and his ex-girlfriend and involved "making a comment regarding child custody."
"There's no indication he's ever had contact with her to threaten her personally," Coccaro said.
She said the guns were kits and while one may have been assembled, the other wasn't.
"There is no indication that Mr. Decambra had any other use for them other than putting them together," she said.
Coccaro said bail was "excessive" and asked for the amount to be reduced significantly or for Decambra to be released on supervision.
He has a "very, very minor criminal record," works full time and pays regular child support, Coccaro said.
Decambra has convictions for contempt of court, unlicensed liquor sale and driving under the influence of an intoxicant, Littlepage said.
Judge Blaine Kobayashi kept bail at $500,000.
"The court is definitely concerned about not just the level and amount of various weapons the defendant had in his possession, but also illegal drugs he had in his possession as well," Kobayashi said. "That's a dangerous combination, in the court's view."
Decambra was ordered not to consume or possess alcohol or illegal drugs and to report for supervision and random drug testing if he is released. He was ordered to have no contact with his ex-girlfriend.