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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, April 1, 2010

HPD officer's drug charge dropped


By David Waite
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Shane Souza

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Las Vegas prosecutors have dropped a minor marijuana possession charge against Honolulu police officer Shane Souza, who yesterday pleaded guilty to obstructing a public officer.

Because Souza, 47, complied with a list of court conditions and has stayed out of trouble since his arrest seven months ago, the case against him is considered completed and the misdemeanor marijuana charge will not be pursued, according to Tess Driver, spokeswoman for the Clark County Nevada District Attorney's Office.

Souza and fellow police officer Kevin Fujioka were in Las Vegas to participate in a softball tournament when they were arrested Aug. 15 near Desert Breeze Park after park police noticed a van parked across several stalls and went to investigate.

The two Honolulu police officers were found in the van and Souza tried to run away after being told to stand in front of the vehicle.

A May 11 preliminary hearing is scheduled for Fujioka, who is facing a felony charge of being under the influence of a controlled substance and misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence and possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.

Souza, a 20-year HPD veteran, and Fujioka, a 13-year officer, were placed on administrative leave without pay last fall pending the outcome of an internal Honolulu Police Department investigation, which is ongoing.