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United States of America v. Vernon Santiago
Date: 01-08-2026
Case Number: 25-cr-00124
Judge: Jill A. Otake
Court: United States District Court for the District of Hawaii (Honolulu County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office in Honolulu
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Honolulu Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Description:
Honolulu, Hawaii, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon and an unlawful user of controlled substances.
Vernon Santiago, 45, of Mountain View, Hawaii, 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.
Vernon Santiago, 45, of Mountain View, Hawaii, 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.
Outcome:
The Defendant elected to plead guilt.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Vernon Santiago?
The outcome was: The Defendant elected to plead guilt.
Which court heard United States of America v. Vernon Santiago?
This case was heard in United States District Court for the District of Hawaii (Honolulu County), HI. The presiding judge was Jill A. Otake.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Vernon Santiago?
Plaintiff's attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office in Honolulu. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Honolulu Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. Vernon Santiago decided?
This case was decided on January 8, 2026.