Hawai‘i Police Department
Area I Criminal Investigations Section
Lieutenant Zachary Fernando
Phone: (808) 961-2252
Report No.: 24-069186
Media Release
Hawai’i Island police have arrested and charged 41-year-old Godfrey Paul Leopoldino, of Hilo, with various drug, firearms, and traffic related offenses stemming from a traffic stop conducted by South Hilo patrol officers early Tuesday morning, July 30, 2024.
On Wednesday afternoon, July 31, at 1:00 p.m., Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives charged Leopoldino with the following offenses, after conferral with the Hawai’i County Prosecutors Office:
- Place to Keep: Ammunition (three-counts)
- Ownership or Possession Prohibited (two-counts)
- Driving While License Suspended or Revoked
- Possessing a Loaded Firearm on Public Highways
- Place to Keep Loaded Firearm Not Pistols/Revolvers
- Second-Degree Promoting a Dangerous Drug
- Third-Degree Promoting a Dangerous Drug
Total bail for Leopoldino was set at $197,000.
Leopoldino was unable to post bail and made his initial court appearance on Thursday, August 1, 2024, in South Hilo District Court.
The charges stem from a traffic stop which was conducted on a pick-up truck which Leopoldino was operating in the area of Kanoelehua Avenue and Leilani Street, in Hilo. During the traffic stop, officers observed a brown lever-action rifle located in the bed of the pick-up truck. Officers arrested Leopoldino, and upon conducting a search incident to arrest, two live ammunition rounds were recovered from the pockets of his shorts. Officers then transported him to the East Hawai’i Detention Facility for booking, processing, and continued investigation by detectives.
The pick-up truck was towed to the South Hilo District police station evidence warehouse where it was secured pending the execution of a search warrant.
On Wednesday afternoon, July 31, detectives executed a search warrant on Leopoldino’s pick-up truck resulting in the recovery of two functioning rifles, live ammunition in various calibers, over 11 grams of methamphetamine, a methamphetamine smoking-pipe, and $589.00 in U.S. currency.
Police ask anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact Detective Kimo Keliipaakaua of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, at (808) 961-2375, or via email at kimo.keliipaakaua@hawaiicounty.gov.
