Big Island Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearms and Ammunition

News Release from U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Hawaii, Tuesday, January 6, 2026

HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Vernon Santiago, 45, of Mountain View, Hawaii, pled guilty yesterday in federal court to possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon and an unlawful user of controlled substances.  Sentencing is set for April 22, 2026 before United States District Judge Jill Otake.

According to court records, Santiago has a prior federal felony conviction from 2005 for unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition as an unlawful user of controlled substances, for which he was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison.  In January 2024, law enforcement executed a state search warrant at Santiago’s residence.  After law enforcement announced their presence, Santiago jumped out of a window while carrying a backpack and fled.  He then threw the backpack into bushes in an attempt to conceal it from law enforcement.  The backpack contained two firearms, a stolen Colt Government Model .45 caliber pistol and a Ruger P85 9mm pistol, along with ammunition and magazines.

Santiago faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a three-year term of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Hawaii Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne A. Myers is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.  Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).