California Man Receives Life In Prison For Methamphetamine Trafficking

HONOLULU – United States District Judge Derrick K. Watson today sentenced California resident Alan L. Mapuatuli, age 44, to a prison term of life imprisonment, without the possibility of parole, for distribution of crystal methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine. Mapuatuli was subject to a mandatory life sentence on the latter charge and eligible for a life sentence on the former as a result of having two prior felony drug trafficking-related convictions in the State of California. Mapuatuli was found guilty after a jury trial in January 2015.

United States Attorney Florence T. Nakakuni said that according to information produced in court, Mapuatuli was convicted as the result of an undercover transaction between Mapuatuli and an informant involving a pound of methamphetamine. That transaction was monitored and recorded by federal agents. Based on information developed in the investigation, Mapuatuli was stopped as he drove away from the transaction. When his vehicle was searched, agents found the cellphone he had used to communicate with the informant, a backpack containing six ounces of crystal methamphetamine, $15,975.00 in U.S. currency, a loaded .45 caliber pistol, and a leather bag which contained an additional pound of crystal methamphetamine.

Mapuatuli also received a five-year term of imprisonment for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which is required to be consecutive to the other sentences.

The prosecution was the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations/Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan M. F. Loo.