Woman facing drug charges held in lieu of $100K bail

WAILUKU — A Haiku woman is being held in lieu of cash-only bail of $100,000 after police seized quantities of heroin and crystal methamphetamine, as well as cash, in a search of her residence.

Kristi Hutto, 45, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of firstdegree promotion of a dangerous drug, two counts of attempted first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and two counts of possessing drug paraphernalia.

She was arrested Oct. 6 when police Crime Reduction Unit officers executed search warrants for Hutto and her residence on Uaoa Loop, police said.

“She was moving an incredible amount of drugs,” Deputy Prosecutor Joanne Hicks said during a bail hearing for Hutto on Friday in 2nd Circuit Court.

Police reported seizing more than 2 pounds of heroin, which was packaged for suspected distribution, and 200 units of liquid heroin, Hicks said. She said police also recovered 446.54 grams of crystal methamphetamine “also packaged separately for suspected distribution.”

Hutto told police she had heroin and crystal methamphetamine in her house, Hicks said. “She stated the heroin and crystal methamphetamine belonged to her and she uses and sells both heroin and meth,” Hicks said.

She said Hutto also reported having about $60,000 in cash, and police reported finding $75,240 in cash at the residence.

While Hutto reported being unemployed, Hicks said, “Clearly, her employment is as a professional drug dealer in our community.”

In the search of Hutto’s residence, police reported finding a Hawaii Med-QUEST health insurance card and a Hawaii electronics benefit transfer card, as well as a California benefits card.

Deputy Public Defender Zach Raidmae said Hutto would have a place to stay if she is released from jail.

Judge Blaine Kobayashi maintained Hutto’s bail.

A Nov. 22 pretrial conference is set for Hutto.