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 U.S. airman’s mother received a two-year suspended sentence Friday for attempting to mail cannabis vape pens to her son and daughter-in-law and bringing cannabis liquid with her on a visit to Okinawa.
Kasandra Michelle Stephens, 45, the mother of Tech. Sgt. DariusOmar Stephens, 26, a military working dog handler at Kadena Air Base, pleaded guilty Jan. 18 in Naha District Court to violating Japan’s Cannabis Control and Customs Acts.
Judge Takashi Kato sentenced Stephens to two years in a Japanese prison but suspended the sentence for three years. A suspended sentence is appropriate, “giving consideration that you have no prior record in Japan,” Kato said in court.
A suspended sentence means Stephens will not serve jail time unless convicted again within three years in Japan. Stephens looked relieved and said, “I promise.”
Stephens sent a package containing 2.88 grams of cannabis liquid from the United States that landed at Tokyo International Airport, or Haneda Airport, on Aug. 16. It arrived at Kadena three days later and was intercepted by local custom officers, the prosecutor said in court Jan. 18.
Stephens told the court in January that she unintentionally brought cannabis liquid to Okinawa on Sept. 11 when she came to stay with her son and his wife at their home at Kadena.
She was arrested Sept. 27 and accused of possessing 1.594 grams of cannabis liquid. She was charged Nov. 8. Stephens pleaded guilty to both offenses Jan. 18.
The Naha District Court building in Naha, Okinawa, is pictured Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. ()
DariusOmar Stephens, 26, and his wife, Elena Barriga-Stephens, 22, received suspended sentences Tuesday in Naha District Court for violating Japan’s cannabis and customs laws by asking Stephens’ mother to send them cannabis vape pens.
Barriga-Stephens was also charged with possessing cannabis liquid.
The couple pleaded guilty Tuesday and 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.
