Then-Staff Sgt. DariusOmar Stephens, a military working dog handler for the 18th Security Forces Squadron, works with ZsoZso at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Aug. 24, 2023. (Edward Yankus/U.S. Air Force)
NAHA, Okinawa — A Japanese court handed an airman and his wife suspended sentences Tuesday for their attempt to receive cannabis vape pens via the mail at Kadena Air Base in August.
Tech. Sgt. DariusOmar Stephens, 26, a military working dog handler at Kadena, and his wife, Elena Barriga-Stephens, 22, admitted Tuesday in Naha District Court to violating Japan’s cannabis and customs laws by asking Stephens’ mother to send them vape pens containing cannabis liquid. Barriga-Stephens also admitted possession of liquid cannabis.
The prosecutor asked the court for 1 ½ years in prison for Stephens and two years for Barriga-Stephens; their attorneys requested suspended sentences.
Judge Hironobu Ono sentenced Stephens to 1½ years in a Japanese prison and Barriga-Stephens to two years. Both sentences were suspended for three years.
Stephens may have yet to reckon with Air Force authorities.
“Kadena Airmen are expected to uphold the highest standards, and the U.S. military is committed to holding those accountable who are convicted of committing criminal acts,” a spokesman for the 18th Wing, Lt. Col. Raymond Geoffroy, said by email Tuesday.
The couple expressed remorse in court Tuesday.
“I am truly sorry for our situation,” Stephens said. “Our family is truly sorry.”
Barriga-Stephens said: “I felt regretful, because it wasn’t just me in the situation.”
Stephens’ mother, Kasandra Michelle Stephens, 45, sent a package containing 2.88 grams of cannabis liquid from the United States that arrived at Tokyo International Airport, or Haneda Airport, on Aug. 16, a prosecutor said in court. Three days later, it arrived at Kadena, where it was intercepted by local custom officers, the prosecutor said.
Barriga-Stephens was charged with possession of 1.594 grams of cannabis liquid.
DariusOmar Stephens explained in court that he did not think much about it when his wife asked his mother via a group chat to send some vape pens to share with a co-worker.
He admitted requesting one for himself, but he said he decided not to use it after all.
The airman’s mother, who pleaded guilty Jan. 18 to attempting to smuggle the cannabis liquid, is scheduled for sentencing Friday.
