HONOLULU (KHON2) — A former Oahu Community Correctional Center adult corrections officer has pled guilty to multiple firework offenses.
According to Attorney General Anne Lopez’s office, former OCCC officer Gilchrist Fernandez is accused of having nearly 95 pounds of aerial fireworks mailed to the facility in 2022.
Detailed financial tracing led investigators to the point of purchase, a fireworks vendor in Nevada.
“We cannot and will not tolerate this type of flagrant criminal conduct. 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,” said Attorney General Anne Lopez.
In November 2024, Fernandez “waived indictment and entered guilty pleas pursuant to a plea agreement.”
Nearly three months later, Fernandez pled guilty to two class C felony offenses including Importation of Fireworks and Attempted Possession of Fireworks.
Officials said he would be ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and face up to 90 days in prison once he is sentenced in June.
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
Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan
The United States Postal Service issued a statement to remind customers it’s illegal and dangerous to mail explosive devices such as fireworks.
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“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.”