Michael Buntenbah, whose company manufactured and distributed the “Defend Hawaii” line of clothing and accessories, will be the third of the eleven men charged with being part of a criminal gang controlled by Honolulu businessman Michael John Miske, Jr. to be released on bail.

Federal Judge Derrick K. Watson ordered Michael Buntenbah released on $500,000 secured bail following a hearing held Wednesday via video conferencing. His bail is the highest set so far, and the bond must be secured by either cash deposited with the court, or a security mortgage on his family’s home in Kaneohe.

Buntenbah, also known as Michael Malone, will be eligible for release once bail is posted, his passport is surrendered to the court, and a GPS tracking system is installed at his Kaneohe home.

Watson overturned an earlier ruling by Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Mansfield, who had approved prosecutors’ request to hold Buntenbah in detention at hearing in late July.

Buntenbah is named in three counts, including conspiracy to distribute and possess cocaine and controlled substances, and “conspiracy to commit assault in aid of racketeering.”

In documents filed in court prior to Wednesday’s hearing, prosecutors argued his role in a $400,000 cocaine deal in 2014, and a possible 10-year sentence if convicted on drug charges, was enough to consider him a flight risk and warrant continued detention.

But Buntenbah’s Michigan-based attorney, Gary K. Springstead, noted he has not been charged with any of the most serious offenses central to the broad Miske conspiracy spelled out in the indictment.

“His name does not appear anywhere in the 10- page description of Miske Enterprise, its members, or the racketeering conspiracy,” Springstead wrote in support of release.

Further, Springstead said Buntenbah “…is not named in the charges alleging firearms offenses; robbery; bank fraud; or conspiracy to commit kidnapping, arson, robbery, chemical weapons crimes, financial crimes, fraud, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, murder, or murder-for-hire.”

In addition, Springstead said Buntenbah has been undergoing heart examinations after experiencing “chest pain and an abnormal EKG,” and has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Both conditions put him at higher risk if he catches Covid-19.

In approving bail for Buntenbah, Watson imposed a series of strict conditions, including maintaining or seeking employment, restricting travel to Oahu, a prohibition on contacting “co- defendants, co-conspirators, or witnesses in this and any related case,” detention at home except for work, health treatment, attorney or court visits, or other pre-approved activities, and GPS tracking, along with random drug and alcohol testing.

Two other defendants in the case, Preston Kimoto and Hunter Wilson, were released in July on $50,000 bail each, subject to a man of the same conditions, including GPS monitoring.