Senior United States District Judge Helen Gillmor sentenced Dwayne P. Gouveia, 58, of Waimea, Hawaii, to ten years in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. In 2005, Gouveia was previously sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Judge Gillmor also sentenced Gouveia’s co-conspirators in meth trafficking:

• Maximillian Oleksiak, 46, of Keaau, sentenced on November 1, 2021, to 110 months imprisonment;
• Billie Jack Peridot Kawelo, 43, of Keaau, sentenced on November 18, 2021, to 60 months imprisonment; and
• Malia Broome, 45, of Kamuela, sentenced on November 18, 2021, to 48 months imprisonment and a fine of $5,000.

According to information presented to the court, the four defendants conspired to distribute methamphetamine on Hawaiʻi Island during spring 2020. On May 20, 2020, special agents of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and officers of the Hawaiʻi County Police Department interrupted a distribution of approximately two pounds of methamphetamine by Kawelo and Broome to Oleksiak. The drugs had been supplied by Gouveia to Broome earlier that day.

In addition to the methamphetamine, agents and officers seized almost $20,000 in cash and arrested Kawelo and Broome.  The cash has since been forfeited to the government. Evidence collected by the government demonstrated that the four defendants had been working together to distribute pound and multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine multiple times per week for approximately two months preceding the May 20, 2020 seizures and arrests. Additionally, in January 2018, agents and officers intercepted a shipment of approximately one pound of methamphetamine intended for Oleksiak in a transaction unrelated to the conspiracy.

HSI and the Hawaiʻi County Police Department conducted the investigation that resulted in the prosecution, with assistance from the Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig S. Nolan prosecuted the case.

 

(AP Photo)