Pubdate: Tue, 21 Dec 2004
Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)
Copyright: 2004 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.starbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/196
Author: Debra Barayuga
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

A U.S. MAGISTRATE CITES HER CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY

A federal magistrate denied bail yesterday for a 10-year veteran of
the Honolulu Police Department who faces charges of trying to steal
crystal methamphetamine from drug dealers.

U.S. Magistrate Leslie Kobayashi said yesterday there were no
conditions that she could impose that would ensure the appearance of
officer Harold Cabbab Jr. at trial or ensure the safety of the community.

Cabbab, a former University of Hawaii baseball star, was arrested on
Dec. 10 after he and another man allegedly tried to steal 18 to 20
pounds of "ice" with the intent to sell it.

He appeared before Kobayashi rumpled and unshaven. It was his second
appearance in federal court since his arrest. His wife, former Rainbow
Wahine volleyball player Jenny Wilton, and other family members and
friends attended the hearing.

The hearing, which lasted just minutes, gave Cabbab no time to
acknowledge his supporters as he was ushered out of the courtroom by
U.S. marshals. His wife cried as he was led away.

Cabbab, assigned to patrol at the Pearl City district, was arrested
after he and another man allegedly broke into a Makiki storage
facility the night before and left with what they believed to be 18 to
20 pounds of crystal methamphetamine that arrived from California. The
shipment of drugs was actually fake and planted in a storage locker by
federal agents.

The arrest and charge stemmed from several taped conversations in
which Cabbab and an acquaintance discussed taking nearly 20 pounds of
"ice" from drug dealers while posing as undercover officers. They
hoped to make at least $100,000 each after selling it.

But the acquaintance turned out to be an informant for Immigration and
Customs Enforcement.

The two began discussing the rip-off scheme after Cabbab brought it up
in a conversation at the home of the acquaintance in mid-October,
according to prosecutors.

During their conversations, Cabbab indicated he needed money and that
the holidays were the worst time to be broke, prosecutors allege.

He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years' imprisonment if
convicted.

Federal Public Defender Peter Wolff, who is defending Cabbab, declined
comment on the charges.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday. However,
Assistant U.S. attorney Mike Kawahara said he anticipates an
indictment from a federal grand jury.
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MAP posted-by: Derek