MPD Officer Changes Plea in Drug Case

By Wendy Osher

Maui's Hoapiili Hale, court building. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Maui Police Officer Ryan Masada today changed his plea from not guilty to no contest in a drug related case being heard before 2nd Circuit Court Judge Shackley Raffetto.

Masada who is an 18-year veteran with the Maui Police Department,was initially charged with a count of Prohibited Acts Related to Drug Paraphernalia, and a separate count of 3rd Degree Promotion of a Dangerous Drug.

Masada, who is now 41, was working with the Wailuku Patrol Division prior to the indictment, but has since been re-assigned to administrative duty within the department.

Under the agreement, he will resign from the Maui Police Department, and will not seek employment with the MPD for the remainder of his life.  In turn, the state will not ask for incarceration.

Sentencing has been set for Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at which time, the judge is expected to hear a defense motion for deferral.

The charges carry penalties of five years in prison on each count, and a $10,000 fine.  Under the deferral request the charges will be taken off Masada’s record.  If however, he violates the terms of the deferral request, the counts will go on his record as a criminal conviction.

Masada was represented today by Defense Attorney Michael Green of Honolulu, while Deputy Prosecutor Tracy Jones represented the state.