09/22/2011
The Associated Press - A federal judge last week sentenced a decorated former Maui police officer to a year-and-a-half in prison for extorting sex from a woman shortly after she was released from jail and stealing about $1,500 from a driver during a traffic stop.
U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Richard Puglisi gave Kristopher Galon, 38, of Lahaina one year for sexual assault and six months for theft. Galon must also pay restitution to his victims.
“A police officer is supposed to be out there to defend and protect, and put forward the best foot in the community,” Puglisi told Galon at the sentencing. “I view these crimes as incredibly serious. It is the public trust that will take some time to recover.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Cushman had asked Puglisi to sentence Galon to one year in prison. He had pleaded guilty to the charges in May.
