42 year-old Daniel Lemaire of Ocean View was arrested and charged in relation to the theft of a Saturn Vue, originally reported stolen from the Kona International Airport parking lot sometime between August 27 and September 1, 2023, in addition to the prohibited possession of a loaded semi-automatic rifle and attempted distribution of methamphetamine.

On September 2, police reportedly contacted Lemaire on a routine traffic stop. They later obtained consent to search the Saturn and recovered approximately 51 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a loaded semi-automatic rifle, and ammunition.

Yesterday, Lemaire made his initial appearance in Kona District Court, where over Prosecutors’ objections, the District Court granted Lemaire’s request to reduce his bail from $288,250 to $10,000. He was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on September 13.

As the Complaint alleges, Lemaire was charged with thirteen offenses including Attempted Promotion of a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree (attempt to distribute one-eighth ounce or more of methamphetamine), Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree (possess over an ounce of methamphetamine), Theft in the First Degree (obtained or exerted unauthorized control over the property of another, a motor vehicle), Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree, Possession of a Firearm With Intent to Facilitate the Commission of a Felony Drug Offense, Carrying or Possessing a Loaded Firearm on a Public Highway, Ownership or Possession of Firearm Prohibited, Ownership or Possession of Ammunition Prohibited, Place to Keep Loaded Firearms Other Than Pistols and Revolvers, Permits to Acquire, Promoting a Detrimental Drug in the Second Degree (possess an ounce or more of marijuana), Prohibited Acts Related to Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving Without a License. The most serious charges, Attempted Promotion of a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree, Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree, and Possession of a Firearm With Intent to Facilitate the Commission of a Felony Drug Offense are all class A felony offenses punishable by a maximum penalty of a twenty-year prison term.

The charges are merely allegations and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney