MEDIA RELEASE

Prosecuting Attorney Charlene Y. lboshi announced today that on July 12, 2012, Third Circuit Court Judge Glenn S. Hara sentenced Hilo resident Gayleen Oda, 35, to five years probation following her guilty pleas to theft in the second degree, promoting a dangerous drug (methamphetamine) in the third degree and possession of drug paraphernalia. As conditions of her probation, Ms. Oda was ordered to serve one year in jail with release to a residential drug treatment program as to each count and was ordered to pay a mandatory shoplifting fine of $1,386.00.

Because Ms. Oda was under supervision for a deferral that she received for an earlier promoting a dangerous drug (methamphetamine) in the third degree offense in 2006, her deferral was rescinded and she was placed on a new term of five years probation with one year in jail and release to a residential drug treatment program for that offense as well. Investigation by the Hawaiii Police Department revealed that on December 24, 2011, Ms. Oda entered a retail store in Hilo, stuffed merchandise into a baby stroller and left the store with stolen merchandise having a value of $346.50. She was caught leaving the store by loss prevention agents and held for the police. When Ms. Oda was searched following her arrest, police officers recovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia from her.

Theft in the second degree, promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia are class “C” felonies punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 as to each offense. If a defendant shoplifts property having a value exceeding $300, there is a mandatory fine equal to four times the value of property stolen for a first offense. The mandatory fine is double that amount for a subsequent offense.

Shoplifters in Hawail County are caught, arrested, prosecuted, and upon conviction, many times go to jail.