A Kona jury recently found 61 year-old Charles Zuffante of Keaʻau guilty of Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree, Attempted Promotion of a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree, and Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree in Kona Circuit Court. All charges merged therefore the State has elected to proceed to sentencing with Attempted Promotion of a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree.

Zuffante, who has been out of custody on bail for the majority of the duration of these criminal proceedings, was ordered to return on April 3, 2023 for sentencing.

Attempted Promotion of a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree is class A felony offense which carries a maximum penalty of a twenty-year prison term or ten years of probation with up to two years in jail.

The case stemmed from an October 21, 2021 vehicle traffic stop in Kona. Upon Zuffante’s arrest, HPD officers located a Ziploc packet containing 3.5 grams of methamphetamine on his person. The vehicle was then towed to the police station, where Area II Vice Officer Justin Gaspar took over the investigation. Officers recovered, methamphetamine packaged in distributable amounts, specifically ten Ziploc packets each containing 3.5 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine and five Ziploc packets each containing 14 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine.

Zuffante was originally charged via grand jury indictment in April of 2022.

“The jury’s verdict reaffirms our commitment to the safety and security of our community. It sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the poisoning of our community by drug dealers,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen in a press release.

 

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney