Nearly 1 pound of meth equals prison

WAILUKU — A Kahului man, who was arrested with nearly a pound of methamphetamine, was sentenced Tuesday to a 20-year prison term.

Lorden Cooper, 36, told police he was dealing large quantities of the drug after he was arrested April 16 when vice/narcotics officers executed warrants to search Cooper and his pickup truck in a Wailuku parking lot, said Deputy Prosecutor Tracy Jones.

She said Cooper reported being “fronted” three-fourths to 1 pound of methamphetamine at a time, with the expectation that he would pay $8,000 to $12,000 after selling the drugs.

“He was not interested in dealing small amounts,” Jones said. “He was looking to move quantities. That’s exactly what he was doing with the help of another felon.”

She was referring to co-defendant Jamen Sugahara, 39, of Wailuku, who was found in the truck with Cooper when police seized 0.95 pound of methamphetamine. Sugahara’s case is pending.

Cooper, who previously served prison terms, was on probation when he was arrested. He told police he began using drugs in September 2018 after he returned to Maui from the Big Island, Jones said.

She said he reported acting as a “strong arm” for a man who has pending drug charges, but said he didn’t have to carry out actions “because his name carries its own weight.”

Cooper said he returned to what he described as “the game” because he needed quick money, Jones said.

“He had acquired some skills as a chef,” she said. “Instead, when he came back, he decided to look for what he thought was the easy way to get money. He has committed a serious crime against our community and will serve the penalty.”

Cooper had pleaded no contest to first-degree promoting of a dangerous drug, with other charges dismissed in exchange for his plea.

He thanked the court and state for setting his sentencing for Tuesday so he could spend Christmas with his family before being taken back into custody.

“I have gotten back on track,” he said. “Thank you guys for allowing me that time to find myself and spend that time with my family.”

“I know I was wrong,” Cooper said. “I just wish I had more options.”

He acknowledged he has a criminal past. “But I am not that danger to the community,” Cooper said. “I have no violent crimes. This is my first drug charge.

“I just walk in faith. God get his plan.”

Second Circuit Judge Peter Cahill disagreed with Cooper’s assessment that he wasn’t convicted of a crime of violence.

“Because it is,” Cahill said. “If people are using methamphetamine, it’s very little different than if you stab them in the back. It’s a death sentence for all those people. You’re not beating them over the head with a hammer, but there’s not all that much difference in the ultimate outcome.”

While Cooper appeared to have been doing better recently, “you’re here to pay the price,” Cahill said.

In a 2014 case, Cooper’s probation was revoked, and he was resentenced to a five-year prison term for unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.

He will serve the prison terms at the same time.

Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.