OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY IN LAS VEGAS POT CASE

One Honolulu police officer has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor
obstruction charge while another is facing a preliminary hearing in a
marijuana-related felony in Las Vegas.

Shayne Souza, 47, attached to police specialized services and an
officer with 20 years of service, will not have a misdemeanor
marijuana charge pursued against him and has completed a list of
court conditions that included staying out of trouble for six months,
the Clark County District Attorney's Office said yesterday.

Souza pleaded guilty Wednesday in Clark County Justice Court to
obstructing a public officer, a misdemeanor.

"The case (against Souza) is now closed," said Tess Driver, executive
assistant to the district attorney.

The district attorney is continuing to pursue charges against police
officer Kevin Fujioka, a 13-year veteran attached to the Pearl City station.

Fujioka, 38, is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing May 11
on a felony charge of being under the influence of a controlled
substance. He has been released pending trial.

Fujioka and Souza were in Las Vegas to participate in a softball
tournament when they were arrested on Aug. 15 near Desert Breeze
Park, about six miles west of the Las Vegas Strip.

Park police noticed a van parked across stalls and found Souza and
Fujioka in the van, Driver said.

Souza and Fujioka got out of the van and ran for a time before being
apprehended, and Souza was pepper-sprayed, according to a Clark
County spokeswoman.

Honolulu police spokeswoman Michelle Yu said Fujioka and Souza have
been suspended and placed on leave with pay, pending the outcome of
an internal administrative investigation.