FORMER ADULT CORRECTIONS OFFICER ENTERS GUILTY PLEAS FOR THE IMPORTATION AND ATTEMPTED POSSESSION OF AERIAL DEVICE FIREWORKS

News Release 2025-10 from Hawaii Attorney General, Jan. 29, 2025

HONOLULU – Attorney General Anne Lopez announced today that Gilchrist Fernandez was arraigned and entered guilty pleas for having aerial device fireworks mailed to the Oʻahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) and attempting to possess those aerial device fireworks while he worked as an adult corrections officer.

On January 29, 2025, Fernandez entered guilty pleas to two class C felony offenses: Importation of Fireworks and Attempted Possession of Fireworks. Fernandez’s guilty pleas come after an extensive multiagency investigation that included the Department of the Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division and Investigations Division, the Honolulu Police Department (HPD), the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Fernandez waived indictment and entered guilty pleas pursuant to a plea agreement finalized in November 2024. At sentencing, Fernandez will be ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and faces up to 90 days imprisonment and other consequences.

“While working as an adult corrections officer, Mr. Fernandez had almost 95 pounds of aerial fireworks mailed to OCCC, the very correctional facility that he had a duty to secure,” said Attorney General Anne Lopez. “We cannot and will not tolerate this type of flagrant criminal conduct. Our investigation involved detailed financial tracing that followed the money to the point of purchase at a fireworks vendor in Nevada. I want to express my gratitude to our law enforcement partners for assisting with both scientific and technical analysis of the aerial device fireworks that were seized.”

The United States Postal Service issued the following statement, “The Postal Service reminds customers that illegal, hazardous, and dangerous items are always prohibited in the mail stream. This includes items such as explosive devices, including fireworks or other highly flammable materials that put both our employees and customers at risk. The Postal Service and the Postal Inspection Service are committed to the safety and security of postal employees, customers, and transportation networks and remain vigilant in safeguarding the mail stream against any article that might pose a hazard to health, safety, property, or the environment.”

Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan stated, “More important than risking his career, this individual risked the safety of everyone who unknowingly came into contact with the highly flammable parcels. HPD will continue to work with our partners to investigate illegal fireworks activities that endanger lives and property.”

Fernandez’s sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.

The case is State  v. Gilchrist Fernandez, 1CPC-25-0000097.

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SA: OCCC guard pleads guilty to importing illegal aerial fireworks

CB: Former Guard Admits To Mailing Illegal Fireworks To Hawaii Jail