OFFICER FACES FELONY DRUG CHARGE IN VEGAS

Trial for Second HPD Veteran Rescheduled From Wednesday to Dec.
16

One of two Honolulu police officers arrested Aug. 15 for allegedly
smoking marijuana in a van at a city park in Las Vegas will be facing
a felony charge and could face up to four years in prison, according
to Nevada law.

Among the charges in a complaint filed this week against officer Kevin
Fujioka by the Clark County District Attorney's Office is a felony
count titled, "under the influence of a controlled substance."

Under Nevada law, conviction on the felony count is punishable by not
less than one year and not more than four years in state prison.

Fujioka was also charged in the complaint with two misdemeanors,
driving while under the influence of a controlled substance and
possession of a controlled substance, in this case marijuana.

Meanwhile, a trial in Las Vegas for the other Honolulu police officer,
Shayne Souza, on misdemeanor drug possession charges, has been
rescheduled to Dec. 16, authorities there said.

A non-jury trial was to have been held this past Wednesday for Souza,
but the trial date was reset by agreement between the prosecution and
defense.

Fujioka and Souza were off-duty and in Las Vegas to participate in a
softball tournament when they were arrested.

A trial is also scheduled for Feb. 9 for Scott Wilson, who has been
described as a Honolulu social worker.

Souza, 47, Fujioka, 37, and Wilson, 38, were arrested near Desert
Breeze Park in Las Vegas after Park Police officers there noticed a
white van parked across several parking stalls and went to
investigate.

All three of the men were charged with possession of less than an
ounce of marijuana. In addition, Souza was charged with obstructing a
public officer for allegedly running away from a Park Police officer
after being told to stand in front of the van in which he and the
other two men were found.

Fujioka was also charged with driving under the influence of a
narcotic.

Souza and Fujioka have been stripped of their police powers and put on
administrative leave without pay pending the outcome of an internal
Honolulu Police Department investigation.

Souza is a 20-year veteran of the department, and Fujioka has been
with HPD for 13 years.