I receive a tip within the last hour that convicted crime boss, Micheal J. Miske, Jr., was found dead in Honolulu’s Federal Detention Center earlier today.
Although I have not fully confirmed from official sources, it has apparently now been confirmed and reported by Hawaii News Now. Before it became public, the news had been spreading rapidly among those Miske’s criminal entrprise had impacted, including family and friends of Jonathan Fraser.
Miske was convicted by a federal jury in July on 13 of 16 charges, including murder for hire, murder in aid of racketeering, and kidnapping for the murder of Fraser, who Miske wrongly blamed for the death of his son, Caleb Miske. The jury also found that more than $20 million of assets should be forfeited to the federal government.
Miske was scheduled to be sentenced early next year. Several charges carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison, although it appeared likely that an appeal would be filed on his behalf once he had been sentenced.
Miske turned 50 in February, not long after the beginning of his federal racketeering trial.
During a criminal career that the government alleged dated back to the late 1990s, when Miske was in his 20s, Miske build a business network that operated as a facade that hid his criminal activities. He was well known as the owner of Kamaaina Termite & Pest Control and the M Nightclub, along with several other local businesses.
All of Miske’s 12 co-defendants also pleaded guilty before the start of the trial, including his half-brother, John Stancil. In addition, another group of defenants were charged separately with taking part in Miske’s criminal organization and also pleaded guilty. Most are now awaiting sentencing.
Some are likely to welcome the news of Miske’s death, while others may view it as a failure of the federal prison system.
More later as details become public.
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WOW! Thanks, Ian…the hows and whys forth coming.
what the fuuuuu ck?
conspiracy mind activated
Dang, He’s a fun sucker even post mortem. I was very much looking forward to the sentencing phase.
A lot of people are taking a sigh of relief, knowing he can’t point in their direction to cut himself a deal now. Apparently he was coming to terms with having to do just that. Life behind bars wasn’t going to be something he could face.
There was no deal Miske could get once he was convicted all charges.
Having been convicted, and facing several charges carrying a mandatory sentence of life in prison, there wasn’t much room for bargaining as far as sentencing goes. Federal sentencing guidelines and statutory minimums left little discretion.
Ian, I am wondering if there is a chance that his conviction will be vacated since he had not been sentenced yet.
Wow!
I’m wondering, now that he’s gone, if any of his former acquaintances/school mates/relatives etc., might be willing to share their thoughts on what made him the way he was, what made him tick. I think that would be a good read.
Ian, you think there will ever be a book written about Miske? Due to the fact how big this trial was.
I was hoping that during sentencing he would have provided some closure to Jonathan Fraser’s family by providing details of what happened to him and if his remains could be recovered. Wishful thinking on my part I guess, after all Miske was a remorseless criminal through and through who could care less about his victim’s family.
I was hoping for the same.
I’m literally having to close my open mouth. What a shock!
Ian,
You’ve been covering this case for a long time and so glad that we finally have resolution – even if death was the result. Our City/State is rampant with criminals with “many” connections in high places…it is invasive especially in Honolulu.
The drama factor keeps getting higher with this case.
Better start re-doing background investigations on ALL staff of the HI FDC.
Wow – I had been gone all day so just now hearing this – Thanks Ian…
I look forward to reading your follow-up… we all knew he was marked with a life sentence though. Investigation into the how and who will be interesting… I agree that you should write that book if you haven’t already started!
A hui hou —
To me, many unknowns remain. How did he get away with his crimes for so long? What officials were on his payroll? What members of HPD?
I would never wish death on anyone but I will not be mourning the loss of Mike Miske. I would have preferred for him to suffer for a few decades but I believe he would have continued to do damage from prison any way he could. The rumors that he was trying to have Jake Smith killed were so strong that my son and his friends believed Miske had succeeded in that goal.
Yes i agree with you. Mahalo Ke Akua! everything is in His hands, he does not sleep.
Sometimes a cancer just needs to be cut out and tossed into the bin for the good of everyone.
Amen!!