Katherine Kealoha taken into custody; federal judge calls her ‘a walking crime spree’ By Dan Nakaso

Calling Katherine Kealoha “a walking crime spree,” a federal judge today ordered the former city deputy prosecutor immediately into custody until her October sentencing on Thursday’s conspiracy and corruption conviction.

Kealoha, who appeared without her husband, former Police Chief Louis Kealoha, left court through a side door escorted by federal law enforcement.

Both Kealohas were convicted of federal conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges Thursday.

During a hearing this morning, U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Michael Seabright said that Katherine Kealoha poses little flight risk.

“I don’t think Ms. Kealoha will flee, not for long anyway,” Seabright said. “I’m not concerned about flight risk. … But I am concerned about disruptive behavior.”

“I have no doubt about Ms. Kealoha’s attempt to obstruct justice,” Seabright said. “She made a determined and consistent effort to have an innocent man incarcerated.”

After she was indicted, prosecutors said today that Kealoha reached out to a friend to insist that the fictional notary public she created called Alison Lee Wong actually existed.

The friend then contacted the FBI because she worried “she was being tampered with,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Wheat told Seabright.

Before ruling, Seabright said, “there is a serious risk she will attempt to disrupt justice.”

Of the four defendants who were convicted Thursday — including HPD officers Minh-Hung “Bobby” Nguyen and Lt. Derek Wayne Hahn — federal prosecutors only asked that Katherine Kealoha, 48, be taken into custody.

Only one of the five defendants —retired HPD Maj. Gordon Shiraishi — was acquitted of all charges, including conspiracy, attempting to obstruct an official proceeding and of making a false statement. Shiraishi was also seen outside federal court this morning.

Katherine Kealoha Kealoha faces two more trials.

Her sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 7, followed by Louis Kealoha on Oct. 15, Hahn on Oct. 21 and Nguyen on Oct. 28.