honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Marijuana charge dropped against Honolulu police officer


By DAVID WAITE
Advertiser staff writer

Las Vegas prosecutors have dropped a minor marijuana possession charge against veteran Honolulu police officer Shane Souza, who today 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 white van parked across several stalls and went to investigate.

The two Honolulu men 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.