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Michael J. Miske Jr., often referred to as “Bro,” is a prominent figure in Hawaii’s criminal underworld, accused of leading a violent and sophisticated racketeering enterprise. He gained notoriety as the alleged leader of the “Miske Enterprise,” a criminal organization deeply involved in drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and murder, among other crimes. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Miske leveraged his position as a businessman to operate as both a legitimate entrepreneur and a clandestine criminal overlord.
His Criminal History
Michael J. Miske Jr.’s criminal history paints a picture of a man deeply entrenched in a life of violence, intimidation, and illegal activity. His alleged activities span decades and range from assaults and kidnapping to drug trafficking and murder. Miske’s reputation as a dangerous figure is rooted in both his past convictions and the accusations surrounding his leadership of a racketeering enterprise in Hawaii.
Miske built a reputation as a dangerous figure through both his prior convictions and the allegations tied to his leadership of a racketeering enterprise in Hawaii. This reputation grew even stronger as more details about his alleged criminal activities surfaced.
Included State Level Felonies And Misdemeanors
Miske’s prior convictions include state-level felonies for kidnapping, first-degree assault, and multiple counts of theft. These early offenses established his pattern of resorting to violence and coercion to achieve his goals. Alongside his felonies, Miske accumulated misdemeanor convictions, including second-degree assault and driving without a license, further highlighting his consistent disregard for the law at all levels. These crimes, while varied, reflect a consistent use of force, manipulation, and intimidation to exert control over others.
The Investigation Into Michael Miske
The investigation into Michael Miske and his criminal enterprise unfolded over several years, involving a concerted effort by federal authorities to dismantle a highly organized and covert network of illicit activities. Spearheaded by the FBI and supported by local law enforcement agencies in Hawaii, the investigation aimed to expose and prosecute the extensive criminal operations Miske orchestrated through his legitimate businesses and clandestine enterprises.
Gathered As Much Evidence As Possible
Key to the investigation was the meticulous gathering of evidence linking Miske to a host of crimes, including racketeering, murder-for-hire, kidnapping, extortion, bank fraud, and narcotics trafficking. The authorities leveraged confidential informants, undercover operations, surveillance, and subpoenaed business records to piece together the enterprise’s activities. Wiretaps and encrypted communication records revealed Miske’s direct involvement in orchestrating violent acts, including the murder of Jonathan Fraser, which became a focal point of the investigation.
Discovered Front Businesses
The complexity of the case was compounded by the Miske Enterprise’s strategic use of legitimate businesses, such as Kama’aina Termite and Pest Control, to conceal illegal operations. Investigators uncovered how Miske laundered money through these businesses, hired individuals for violent enforcement activities under the guise of employment, and engaged in fraudulent financial practices to sustain the enterprise’s operations.
Co-Conspirators Testified Against Michael
Breakthroughs in the investigation occurred when several co-conspirators cooperated with authorities, providing insider details about the enterprise’s structure and activities. Testimonies from these individuals, combined with physical and digital evidence, helped federal prosecutors secure a detailed indictment against Miske and numerous associates in 2020.
Organized A Group Called Miske Enterprise
The Miske Enterprise, led by Michael J. Miske Jr., was an organized criminal network that operated primarily in Hawaii. Notably, it blended legitimate business fronts with illicit activities, thereby creating a complex and dangerous syndicate. Central to the organization were Miske’s various companies, most prominently Kama’aina Termite and Pest Control (KTPC). This company served dual roles, functioning both as a legitimate business and as a hub for criminal planning, money laundering, and fraudulent employment schemes. Furthermore, employees of KTPC were frequently involved in acts of violence, intimidation, and other illicit activities carried out on behalf of the enterprise.
Created Business For Illegal Proceeds
The enterprise used corporate entities to facilitate its operations, including other businesses like Kama’aina Holdings LLC, Kama’aina Plumbing, and Home Renovations, and Makana Pacific Development LLC. These companies were instrumental in laundering money and concealing illegal proceeds. Additionally, they provided a veneer of legitimacy to the enterprise while being deeply entwined with its criminal activities.
Operations Took Part In Racketeering
The criminal operations of the Miske Enterprise were extensive and varied. They included racketeering, drug trafficking, extortion, bank fraud, and even murder-for-hire schemes. The group engaged in violence and intimidation to maintain control and protect its interests. Competitors, government regulators, and even customers who crossed Miske were subjected to threats and physical harm.
One of the enterprise’s most chilling aspects was its use of chemical weapons, such as chloropicrin, to target nightclubs, demonstrating its capability for extreme measures. The group also dealt in illegal narcotics, trafficking substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone. Its operations extended beyond Hawaii, with activities affecting interstate and international commerce.
The Kidnapping And Murder Of Jonathan Fraser
The kidnapping and murder of Jonathan Fraser tragically highlight the criminal actions allegedly carried out by Michael J. Miske Jr. and his associates. On July 30, 2016, Fraser, a 21-year-old from Hawaii, vanished, and his body remains unrecovered to this day. Unsealed federal court documents reveal that Miske orchestrated Fraser’s abduction and murder as an act of revenge. Miske blamed Fraser for the death of his son, Caleb, despite evidence confirming that Caleb himself had been driving during the 2015 car crash that ultimately claimed his life. Nonetheless, Miske fixated on Fraser as the cause and sought retribution in a chilling act of vengeance.
How He Was Beaten And Burned Alive
Confidential FBI sources revealed disturbing accounts of Fraser’s torture and presumed murder. Witnesses described seeing Fraser bound to a lawn chair, assaulted, and burned with a propane torch. These horrifying acts were allegedly filmed as part of the execution. A key cooperating witness, Jacob “Jake” Smith, admitted involvement in these crimes and implicated Miske in directing the scheme.
Concrete Evidence Was Hard To Find
The investigation into Fraser’s death uncovered layers of criminality linked to Miske’s organization, including drug trafficking, violence, and money laundering. Evidence tied to Fraser’s case included zip ties, duct tape, and traces of biological material, but forensic tests could not conclusively link the evidence to the murder. This lack of concrete physical evidence has posed challenges for the prosecution.
The Charges He Faces
Michael Miske faces an extensive array of federal charges, which are closely tied to his alleged leadership of a criminal enterprise that operated in Hawaii for decades. Notably, these charges, outlined in a comprehensive federal indictment, highlight both the breadth and severity of the criminal activities attributed to Miske and his associates. Furthermore, the indictment sheds light on the far-reaching impact of their alleged crimes, painting a detailed picture of the enterprise’s operations over the years.
The RICO Act
At the core of the charges is the accusation of racketeering under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. The indictment alleges that Miske led an organized criminal enterprise known as the “Miske Enterprise,” which engaged in a wide variety of illegal activities, including acts of violence, fraud, drug trafficking, and money laundering. The RICO charges serve as a framework for prosecuting Miske and his associates for their roles in maintaining and profiting from the enterprise.
Murder For Hire
Among the most serious charges is murder-for-hire, specifically related to the death of Jonathan Fraser in 2016. Miske allegedly orchestrated Fraser’s kidnapping and murder to silence him after Fraser’s involvement in a car accident that resulted in the death of Miske’s son. The indictment details a grisly plot involving hired associates, the use of tracking devices, and the alleged disposal of Fraser’s body at sea.
Conspiracy To Commit Murder
Miske is also charged with conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and assault in aid of racketeering. These charges highlight his alleged use of violence and intimidation to protect and expand his criminal operations. Additionally, Miske faces multiple counts of kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap, further underscoring the violent tactics attributed to his enterprise.
Bank Fraud And Tax Evasion
Fraud-related charges include bank fraud, employment tax evasion, and various schemes involving falsified payrolls and licensing fraud. Miske allegedly used these schemes to generate income for the enterprise while disguising its illicit nature. The indictment also accuses Miske of distributing controlled substances, including methamphetamine and cocaine, as part of a large-scale drug trafficking operation
Possession Of Chemical Weapons
Finally, Miske faces charges related to the possession and use of chemical weapons. He is accused of conspiring to use toxic chemicals, such as chloropicrin, in attacks on rival businesses.
He Was Found Guilty
On July 18, 2024, a federal jury found Michael Miske, a former Honolulu businessman, guilty on 13 counts tied to a sprawling criminal enterprise. This verdict marked the dramatic conclusion of an extensive six-month federal trial.
The charges against him included racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, using a chemical weapon, and second-degree murder. Notably, among the most severe allegations was Miske’s orchestration of the 2016 kidnapping and murder of Jonathan Fraser, whom Miske wrongly blamed for his son’s death in a car accident. This verdict not only highlighted the breadth of Miske’s criminal activities but also underscored the consequences of his actions.
The Jury Deliberated Over All the Evidence
The jury, consisting of 16 members, deliberated extensively after reviewing testimony from nearly 300 witnesses and examining thousands of pieces of evidence. Ultimately, they delivered a unanimous verdict, agreeing with the prosecution’s depiction of Miske as the leader of “The Miske Enterprise,” a violent criminal organization concealed behind a façade of legitimate businesses. Throughout the trial, the prosecution portrayed Miske as a man who exploited intimidation, violence, and greed to orchestrate a sprawling network of illegal activities. In contrast, defense attorneys argued that Miske was a reputable businessman who had been unfairly targeted by authorities.
Was In Custody For Four Years
Federal authorities had held Miske in custody since his arrest four years earlier, as he awaited sentencing in what many consider one of Hawaii’s largest criminal cases. His conviction also included a significant forfeiture of assets and bank accounts valued at approximately $25 million. The ruling brought some sense of justice to victims like Shelly Miguel, the mother of Johnathan Fraser, whose disappearance and murder were central to Miske’s charges.
Found Dead In His Cell
Authorities discovered Michael Miske, a notorious crime boss, dead in his cell at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu on a Sunday morning, just weeks before his January sentencing. While the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office has listed the cause and manner of his death as “pending,” the investigation remains ongoing. Miske’s unexpected death followed his July conviction, where a jury found him guilty of more than a dozen charges. These included murder, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, racketeering, and the use of a chemical weapon. These charges stemmed from his leadership of the criminal syndicate known as the Miske Enterprise, a sprawling and violent organization.
Death Are Uncommon In Prison
Miske’s death has sparked questions, especially considering the rarity of such incidents in the tightly controlled environment of the detention center. This facility boasts high-security measures and trained personnel to ensure inmate safety. Adding to the intrigue, Alexander Silvert, a seasoned federal public defender, emphasized that deaths—whether from suicide or violence—are exceedingly uncommon in these types of facilities. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether Miske was under suicide watch at the time, a precautionary protocol that involves removing any items that could be used for self-harm.
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FAQs About Michael Miske
Michael Miske was a former Honolulu businessman and the alleged leader of ‘The Miske Enterprise,’ a criminal organization involved in racketeering, murder, and other illegal activities.
The Miske Enterprise was a criminal organization involved in illegal activities such as extortion, murder-for-hire, drug trafficking, and fraud, masked under legitimate businesses owned by Miske.
Miske was convicted in 2024 on 13 federal charges, including racketeering, murder, and kidnapping, after a trial that revealed his extensive criminal activities, including the murder of Johnathan Fraser.
The trial exposed the violent nature of Miske’s operations and his use of legitimate businesses as fronts for criminal activities, marking one of Hawaii’s most significant federal cases.
In December 2024, Miske was found dead in prison under undisclosed circumstances, just months after his conviction and during his appeal process.
