Waimea man charged with firearms, drug offenses

A 42-year-old Waimea man faces numerous drug- and firearms-related offenses stemming from a traffic stop early Friday morning in Puna.

George-David Summers and 42-year-old Kaleinani Brzezowski of Keaau were taken into custody after Puna Community Policing officers came across a black Honda four-door sedan parked partially in the roadway on Government Beach Road, just north of Papaya Farms Road.

Officers contacted the occupants of the vehicle to see if assistance was needed, and saw a rifle with black buttstock with metal barrel on the floorboard of the car.

Police say a search warrant was executed on the Honda, leading to the recovery of a loaded .22 caliber Ruger Viper semi-automatic rifle with a thermal scope, live .22 caliber ammunition, two spent bullet casings, more than half an ounce of methamphetamine and three glass smoking pipes, and almost 3 grams of marijuana.

Summers was charged with carrying a loaded firearm on a public roadway, illegally carrying a loaded rifle and ammunition, second- and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, and marijuana possession.

The three most serious charges, carrying a loaded firearm on a public roadway, illegally carrying a loaded rifle and second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug are all Class B felony offenses that carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, upon conviction.

Brzezowski was released from custody without being charged, pending further investigation.

At Summers’ initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon, Hilo District Judge Jeffrey Hawk maintained his bail at $173,000 and ordered him to return today for a preliminary hearing.

Summers remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of bail.

Email John Burnett at [email protected]