HONOLULU — A former corrections officer has been implicated in a case involving the illegal mailing of aerial fireworks to Hawaii’s largest detention facility, according to statements from the state’s attorney general on Wednesday.
Gilchrist Fernandez, who previously worked at the Oahu Community Correctional Center in Honolulu, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the importation and attempted possession of fireworks, as announced by Attorney General Anne Lopez.
In 2022, nearly 95 pounds (approximately 43 kilograms) of aerial fireworks were sent to the correctional facility that Fernandez was responsible for securing, as indicated by Lopez. However, this case is not connected to a tragic fireworks explosion at a residence in Honolulu that resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including a young boy aged three.
Despite the lack of connection, Fernandez’s guilty plea follows heightened scrutiny over illegal fireworks following the New Year tragedy. Authorities are now pressing for tighter regulations on these unauthorized explosives, which have increasingly infiltrated neighborhoods across Hawaii. The popularity of illegal fireworks tends to surge during holiday seasons, such as the year-end celebrations and the recently observed Lunar New Year.
The court documents do not clarify the reasons behind Fernandez’s decision to send fireworks to the correctional facility, and his defense attorney, Myles Breiner, has opted not to provide any comments on the matter.
Investigators were able to trace the purchase of the fireworks back to a vendor in Nevada, as noted by Attorney General Lopez.
Fernandez is expected to face a fine of $5,000 and could be sentenced to a maximum of three months in jail, with his sentencing hearing set for June, according to official reports.
Both the U.S. Postal Service and the Honolulu police underlined that mailing explosives is not only illegal but also poses significant dangers. “This individual not only jeopardized his career but also the safety of everyone who unwittingly came into contact with these highly combustible parcels,” expressed Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan.
