Drugs, loaded guns in truck lead to 4 years’ probation

Staff Writer

WAILUKU — A defense attorney cited a “culture” of hunting under the influence of methamphetamine, as a Lahaina man was placed on four years’ probation for having two loaded firearms, ammunition and drugs in a pickup truck he was driving.

Shane Dusenberry, 41, was ordered to perform 400 hours of community service when he was sentenced Wednesday.

“Using ice sometimes finds its way into hunting,” said Deputy Public Defender Zach Raidmae. “It’s part of the culture sometimes. It doesn’t make it right.

“It’s not shoplifting. It’s not robbery. It’s hunting while high, I guess. It’s not safe. It’s not right. It’s reflective of bad choices.”

Second Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo asked whether Raidmae was saying Dusenberry had been high on ice.

“I’m not saying that,” Raidmae said. “I’m saying sometimes hunters at night smoke ice.”

Dusenberry was arrested after a police traffic stop at 1:13 a.m. Sept. 4, 2017, on Honoapiilani Highway in Lahaina, said Deputy Prosecutor Jeffery Temas.

He said Dusenberry was driving a 1992 Toyota pickup that had a defective tail light, no side view mirror and no displayed certificate of inspection.

A police officer saw two rifle ammunition rounds in an open compartment in the truck and the butt of a rifle behind the driver’s seat, Temas said. He said Dusenberry didn’t have a driver’s license.

Seven dogs were in the back of the truck.

The truck was towed to the police station, where it was later searched. Police found a Winchester .30-30 rifle loaded with two rounds of ammunition, a Ruger .30-caliber pistol loaded with five rounds, as well as ammunition, drugs and paraphernalia in the truck, Temas said.

Temas said he was surprised to hear the defense comments about abusing ice and hunting.

“That is absolutely frightening,” Temas said.

Dusenberry had pleaded no contest to four counts of keeping a firearm in an improper place, two counts of keeping ammunition in an improper place, two counts of not having a permit to acquire a firearm, driving without a license, thirddegree promoting of a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia.

A plea agreement between the defense and prosecution recommended probation and no additional jail for Dusenberry.

Raidmae said Dusenberry’s only prior conviction was for the petty misdemeanor offense of hunting without a license.

“He’s a hardworking man. He’s a member of the community,” Raidmae said. “This is a bump in his life.”

Temas questioned how Dusenberry qualified for assistance from the public defender’s office when he listed a $22 million house as an asset. Raidmae said the house was the family home of Dusenberry’s spouse.

“I didn’t know hunting while high was a new soup du jour,” Judge Loo said in sentencing Dusenberry.

“You had two loaded weapons in your vehicle, and perhaps you were loaded as well,” she said.

Loo said Dusenberry hasn’t had a driver’s license since he was 17. The firearms weren’t properly stored in cases in the vehicle.

“If you’re going to hunt, you need to hunt properly,” Loo told Dusenberry. “If you’re going to drive, you need to drive properly.

“I just don’t understand why someone with your intelligence could be so ignorant about the law.”