Puna Man Arrested in Keaʻau After Shotgun Discharge, Drug Evidence Seized

Police arrested 41-year-old Francis Piloton Jr. following an incident on Jan. 4 in front of a home on Old Volcano Road in Keaʻau that prosecutors say involved threats against a female and the discharge of a shotgun. During the subsequent investigation officers recovered a loaded semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun with a defaced serial number, a glass pipe, and a small baggie that presumptively tested positive for methamphetamine.

Piloton made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court, where bail was maintained at $226,000. Prosecutors charged him with first-degree terroristic threatening, multiple firearm-related counts, and third-degree promoting a dangerous drug. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Jan. 9 in Hilo District Court to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.

The recovered weapon had its serial number defaced, a fact that can complicate traceability and is commonly treated as an aggravating factor in firearm prosecutions. The presence of drug paraphernalia and a substance that presumptively tested positive for methamphetamine adds narcotics charges to the case, reflecting the intersection of drug activity and violent or threatening incidents that law enforcement across the county frequently contend with.

Legally, the most serious counts in the case are felony-level offenses that carry the possibility of prison terms and substantial fines if a conviction follows. First-degree terroristic threatening and the gun-related charges signal prosecutors view the incident as a serious public-safety matter. Third-degree promoting a dangerous drug further exposes the defendant to criminal penalties related to methamphetamine possession or distribution. The high bail figure underscores the court’s assessment of the severity of the alleged conduct and the perceived risk to the community or to public safety if the defendant were released.

For Big Island County residents, this case is notable for its immediate public-safety implications and for the broader resource demands it places on local law enforcement and the court system. Incidents involving firearms with altered serial numbers can require extended investigative work, forensic analysis, and interagency coordination to determine the weapon’s origin. Drug-related offenses tied to threats or violence also tend to complicate prosecution and increase case processing time in the courts, which carries fiscal and administrative costs for the county.

The preliminary hearing set for Jan. 9 is the next procedural milestone; the outcome will determine whether the case advances toward trial. In the meantime, the charges and the evidence seized in Keaʻau will be central to both the prosecutor’s case and the defense’s response as the legal process unfolds.