HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
EAST HAWAII CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION
CAPTAIN SAMUEL THOMAS
PHONE: 961-2251
MARCH 18, 2003

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police arrested and charged a 53-year-old man Thursday (March 18, 2004) for numerous offenses for violating an order for protection.

The suspect, Dennis M. Silva, of a Hilo address, was arrested Tuesday after he refused to turn in his firearms after the judge issued a restraining order.

Obtaining a search warrant, police recovered six semi-automatic handguns, seven semi-automatic rifles and two shotguns belonging to Silva.

At 10:55 p.m. Thursday, East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section detectives charged the suspect with 19 counts of violation of a court order for protection — 15 of them relating to the firearms violations and four for contacting the person who had sought the protection order. In addition, Silva was charged with third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug.

He is currently being held in the Hilo police cellblock in lieu of $38,250 bail.

Police are conferring with authorities for possible federal prosecution of the suspect.

Captain Samuel Thomas, head of the East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Division, said that whenever a judge issues an order for protection, the subject of the restraining order must turn in his firearms.

“The law is very clear and specific on this,” Thomas said. “As you can see in this case, you can get into serious trouble if you refuse to relinquish every firearm you own.”

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