HONOLULU (KHON2) — A man from California appeared in court Thursday for his alleged involvement in a murder connected to drug trafficking.
According to legal documents, on March 27, 2021, 36-year-old Filimone Tavake ,reportedly committed the murder of a Hawaii resident at the victim’s residence as part of a drug distribution scheme.
Tavake was apprehended on March 22 in California.
Tvake faces multiple charges including firearm use in a drug trafficking offense, causing death with a firearm, murder in connection with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
If found guilty, Tavake could receive a minimum sentence of 20-years in prison, or up to a maximum of life imprisonment.
The announcement was made by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors for the District of Hawaii, FBI Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill, and Honolulu Police Department Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan.
The FBI and the Honolulu Police Department are investigating the case together.
Trial Attorney Christina Taylor from the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii, are prosecuting the case.