Molokai man gets house arrest, probation

WAILUKU — A Molokai man who said he was continuing in drug treatment was sentenced to six months of house arrest after he was found with a quantity of methamphetamine.

Robert Low, 55, of Hoolehua also was placed on 10 years’ probation Friday.

He had pleaded no contest to first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.

According to court records, he was found with 1 ounce or more of methamphetamine on Feb. 10, 2018.

“He did serve as a protector of the community for a number of years, then served as its complete opposite, enlisting others in the distribution of methamphetamine,” said Deputy Prosecutor Tracy Jones.

She and defense attorney Michael Green asked the judge to follow a plea agreement recommending probation rather than a 20-year prison term for Low.

He was honorably discharged from the military and had worked as a firefighter for years, Green said.

He said the death of Low’s child “caused him to kind of lose control of where his life was.”

“He talks about how his life was dismantled,” Green said.

Low said his daughter’s death in a car crash “led me to my addiction.”

He said he has been sober for almost a year after spending 10 months in treatment on Oahu. When he completed a program there, he returned to Molokai and “plugged myself in,” he said.

After attorneys didn’t make recommendations about jail time for Low, 2nd Circuit Judge Richard Bissen asked Low what sentence he thought he deserved.

“I do feel bad for what I’ve done,” Low said. “I just want to give back to the community and continue to be plugged in.

“I’d be selfish if I said I would like to do Drug Court and stay plugged in with probation. I just want to be with my family, all those times I missed.”

“You’re the reason you weren’t with your family all those years, nobody else,” Bissen said. “Obviously, you have dealt with a great tragedy.”

While on house arrest, Low must wear an ankle monitor bracelet, Bissen said. He said Low can work on his property and can leave only to go to a place of worship once a week, go to medical appointments or emergencies or go to probation-related classes.

Low was ordered not to consume alcohol or illegal drugs.