MICHAEL Miske Jr was a prominent Honolulu businessman who became one of Hawaii’s most notorious criminal figures.
The crime boss was found dead on December 1, 2024, in the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, with sources indicating he took his own life.
Michael J. Miske Jr, 50, was due to be sentenced in the new year of 2025.
He was found guilty of orchestrating the 2016 killing of Johnathan Fraser — his son’s best friend.
Miske sought revenge because he wrongly believed that Fraser was responsible for a car accident resulting in the death of Miske’s son, Caleb-Jordan Miske-Lee, according to prosecutors.
Kidnapping & murder
A federal request to detain Miske without bail stated: “Miske’s calculated and deliberate actions in the abduction, kidnapping, and killing of Johnathan Fraser in July 2016 vividly showcase his inclination towards violence.”
Fraser, 21, survived the car crash in November 2015, but months later Caleb died of his injuries.
In July 2016, Fraser vanished without a trace — his remains have still not been found more than eight years later.
He is believed to have died around July 30, 2016, with court documents seen by KGMB claiming Miske was the mastermind behind the plan.
According to the US Attorney’s Office, Miske was found guilty of a whole host of charges, including kidnapping and murder for hire.
Police are probing the crime boss’ death as a suicide, but it’s not currently known whether he was on suicide watch at the time of his death.
The Rise of Mike Miske Jr
Miske’s criminal career spanned decades.
He evolved from a “street-level drug dealer” to the leader of a sophisticated organized crime ring known as the Miske Enterprise.
John McCarthy, the Deputy Police Chief of Honolulu, mentioned that Miske initially operated as a small-time drug peddler in Kailua until his earnings began to significantly rise.
As his empire grew he became the owner several legitimate businesses.
These included the well-known fumigation company Kama’aina Termite and Pest Control, which he reportedly used as a front for his illegal activities.
Criminal charges
In July 2024, after a lengthy trial lasting about six months, Miske was convicted of 13 federal counts.
The charges against him were extensive, painting a picture of a ruthless criminal organization involved in various illegal activities.
Investigation & trial
The extensive multi-agency investigation into Miske’s crimes was conducted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Honolulu, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Mike Miske charges
HAWAII crime boss Mike Miske was charged and convicted over a plot that saw his son’s friend kidnapped and killed. The charges are outlined in full:
- Racketeering Conspiracy
- Murder in aid of racketeering
- Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering
- Kidnapping resulting in death
- Conspiracy to commit kidnapping
- Murder-for-hire conspiracy
- Conspiracy to commit assaults in aid of racketeering
- Conspiracy to commit kidnapping
- Conspiracy to use a chemical weapon
- Use of a chemical weapon
- Use of a chemical weapon
- Obstruction of Justice
- Obstruction of Justice
The case against him was described as one of the most complex criminal prosecutions in the country, with millions of documents and hours of audio and video evidence.
Miske’s trial began in January 2024 and lasted roughly six months.
He stood trial alone after his half-brother and daughter-in-law took plea deals.
About a dozen of Miske’s associates were also implicated in connection with his various charges, with most making deals with the prosecution that included testifying against him.
Throughout the trial, Miske’s defense team portrayed him as a successful businessman who helped his community.
However, prosecutors depicted him as a master manipulator running an extensive organized crime group.
The jury ultimately convicted Miske, with him facing mandatory minimum life sentences on two of the charges against him.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
