Drug rehab ordered for accused officer
By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer
A federal magistrate has ordered a Honolulu police officer accused of providing protection for a crystal methamphetamine deal to enter a drug treatment facility. The move comes before the start of the officer's trial on a federal drug charge.
U.S. Magistrate Leslie Koba-yashi accepted a request by federal Assistant Public Defender Pamela Byrne to release officer James Corn Jr. into a treatment program at the Hina Mauka residential drug treatment facility.
Kobayashi granted Byrne's request after the lawyer told the court that Corn's family would put up a $100,000 bond secured by the mortgage on the family's Wai'anae home.
Corn is restricted to the Hina Mauka facility and will be sent back to the Federal Detention Center after he completes drug rehabilitation treatment.
Corn will not be released until bed space is available at Hina Mauka and the security bond is posted.
Corn, who is on leave without pay, was arrested Aug. 25 and charged with possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crystal methamphetamine. If convicted, federal sentencing guidelines call for a minimum of 10 years in prison and a $4 million fine.
He is accused of accepting $1,000 to provide protection for a 2-pound crystal methamphetamine deal that was part of a sting operation set up by undercover officers.
Kobayashi's decision was opposed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Muehleck, who is prosecuting the case.
"We are concerned with the case," he said in court yesterday. "There are three things that cause alarm bells to go off. Drugs, firearms and violence. If this had been anybody, if Joe Smith had come in here with these charges, we would have taken the same position (that he remain in custody)."
Muehleck requested 24 hours to consider the motion before deciding whether to file an appeal.
According to an affidavit by a Drug Enforcement Administration agent filed after Corn's arrest, Corn told investigators that he has been addicted to cocaine and sold small quantities of the drug last year.
Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.
