Hawaii Man Sentenced to 121 Months for Hiding Drugs in Work Boots at Airport Screening
HONOLULU — In Captain Cook, a community in Hawaii County, Hawaii, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Hawaii announced on November 9 that Kevin James Hallum, 52, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for smuggling methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin concealed inside work boots through an airport.
According to evidence presented at trial, on July 25, 2025, Hallum attempted to pass through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening at Kona International Airport while carrying a substantial quantity of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and other controlled substances concealed inside work boots packed in his carry-on luggage, with the drugs hidden inside socks placed within the boots. When TSA officers identified anomalies in his bag and discovered the drugs, Hallum identified the boots as his, attempted to retrieve the drugs that had been discovered, and then fled from the security checkpoint. He was later apprehended, charged, and convicted.
On July 2, 2026, following a four-day jury trial, Hallum was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin, and possession with intent to distribute those controlled substances. At sentencing, the Court found that Hallum obstructed justice through false testimony during both his trial and sentencing proceedings.
United States District Judge Micah W. J. Smith imposed the sentence on November 6, 2026. United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced the sentence. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mohammad Khatib and Jonathan D. Slack prosecuted the case.
(Source: U.S. Department of Justice)
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国司法部总部大楼（GSM联邦固定图库）。 / Photo: U.S. Department of Justice headquarters (GSM federal asset library).
