Aiea Man Arrested in San Diego Bust

Written by Lisa Kubota - lkubota@kgmb9.com

May 07, 2008 06:23 PM

A college student from Hawaii appeared in court on Wednesday after his arrest during a major drug bust at San Diego State University. Joshua Matsuda of Aiea is charged with possession of marijuana for sale and possession of concentrated cannabis. Matsuda, 19, graduated from Punahou last year and spent his first semester at SDSU. He transferred to nearby Grossmant College this year but was busted yesterday in the campus investigation.

Matsuda stood next to his roommate during their arraignment in a San Diego courtroom. Police arrested the two after executing a search warrant at their apartment. Investigators said Matsuda's roommate, Jared Skippon, offered to sell marijuana to a federal agent.

"While they were in the apartment they found about 1,000 grams, which is about a kilo, which is about 2 pounds of marijuana, some hashish oil and some other items," said Matsuda's attorney, Gretchen von Helms.

Operation Sudden Fall snagged about 100 people allegedly involved in the distribution of cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy and methamphetamine. Agents also seized weapons and money. The investigation began after a SDSU student was found dead of a cocaine overdose in her apartment in May 2007.

"We should not be burying young people. And our goal was to find out why this happened and to draw some conclusion to it, if it meant arresting people that's exactly what we are prepared to do," said SDSU police chief John Browning.

"They did arrest some cocaine dealers and they did arrest kids with guns, but then they went and started picking up trying to do pot scores, too, and these are little tiny deals," said von Helms.

Matsuda entered a plea of not guilty. His lawyer said he has no criminal history. If convicted, Matsuda faces a maximum of 3 years and 8 months in prison.

"I think he's just very pained that he has disappointed his father. Obviously they're of Japanese heritage and he's ashamed that he's arrested, even. Even though he's presumed innocent at this point in time."

Matsuda is free on $10,000 bail, according to his lawyer. Matsuda is due back in court on June 18.

Last Updated ( May 11, 2008 12:31 AM )

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