A Hawai'i Pacific University softball player accused of being part of an Ecstasy drug ring was ordered released to her parent's custody yesterday and must participate in an electronic monitoring program.

A preliminary hearing for Kellie Nishikida and three co-defendants was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5 before federal Judge Magistrate Barry Kurren.

Nishikida, a 20-year-old HPU junior in her third year on the softball team, faces a maximum federal prison sentence of 20 years, said her attorney, Randall Oyama.

All four women were released yesterday on $25,000 signature bonds and are required to stay on O'ahu, submit to random drug testing and keep away from Schofield Barracks.

Nishikida, the youngest of the four, also cannot drink alcohol as a condition of her release and must submit to random alcohol testing.

Kurren allowed her to be released from the electronic monitoring program from Jan. 29 to Feb. 6 for what Oyama described as a previously scheduled family trip to Arizona to watch her younger sister play softball.

Nishikida had never before been in trouble with the law, Oyama said, "and this is a frightening experience for her."

Nishikida, Natasha Hanson, Krystle Kido and Jade Dixon appeared before Kurren yesterday morning, wiping tears from their faces as friends and family packed the courtroom.

Nishikida spent most of the brief bail hearing with her head bowed and her face buried beneath her hair.

Federal prosecutors had asked that the four be held without bail. They had been in custody since their arrest on Saturday and have been charged with conspiracy after an informant and other sources indicated the women were part of a ring selling Ecstasy on military bases and elsewhere, according to a federal affidavit filed in court to support the charge.

The document states that an undercover Army investigator last Saturday spoke with Hanson, who agreed to sell him 60 tablets of the drug at the 24-hour Shoppette on Schofield Barracks.

Nishikida was later arrested inside a car at the Pearl City Wal-Mart, along with a Ziploc bag containing light green pills. She admitted selling 62 tablets to Hanson and 50 tablets to Kido, knowing they intended to resell them, according to the document.

Oyama said the amount of drugs allegedly involved is small compared to other federal drug cases and that Nishikida is receiving "disparate treatment" and attention because of her status as an HPU athlete.

Nishikida would prefer to continue her arts and sciences studies at HPU but university officials plan to convene a board to assess her status, Oyama said.

As for her future as a softball player, Oyama said "that decision is not hers to make. ... We're not going to hold our breath that she's going to be able to play at HPU."

Ecstasy is a mood-altering drug whose effects can include an enhanced sense of self-confidence and energy.

Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com.