A Honolulu woman has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for her involvement in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation.
HONOLULU — Malia Arciero, 34, was found guilty of four counts of knowingly and intentionally distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine after a federal jury delivered a verdict on January 8, 2015.
According to court records, Arciero was arrested on April 30, 2013, while transporting a pound of methamphetamine to a person cooperating with law enforcement. After her arrest, Arciero confessed to transporting the methamphetamine and previously distributing multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine.
However, in a shocking turn of events, it was revealed that Arciero made false accusations against the lead federal criminal investigator in the case, attempting to manipulate the judicial proceedings towards a disposition favorable to her.
Chief Judge Susan Oki Mollway found Arciero’s accusations to be unsubstantiated and constituting obstruction of justice. On the eve of sentencing, Arciero filed a sworn declaration retracting her previous statements and dismissing a state civil lawsuit containing similar allegations against the agent.
Florence T. Nakakuni, United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii, praised the work of law enforcement agencies involved in the case and the integrity of the judicial system.
The case resulted from an investigation by agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Beverly Wee Sameshima handled the prosecution, with former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Kawahara conducting the prosecution through trial.
Arciero was sentenced to 172 months (14 years, four months) imprisonment for her crimes.
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Key Facts
- State: Hawaii
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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