WAILUKU — A Lahaina man implicated in an alleged murder-for-hire plot is facing a 20-year prison term after pleading no contest yesterday to a reduced charge of conspiracy to commit murder.

As part of a plea agreement, the prosecution will recommend to the Hawaii Paroling Authority that Aniano Yabo serve a minimum term of five years before being eligible for parole.
Because the 44-year-old has been incarcerated since his arrest in November 2006, he already has served about three years of the term, said Yabo's attorney, William Sloper.
"He will be paroled in two years and be able to spend time with his family," Sloper said after the court hearing yesterday. "He's very happy about that."
Yabo had been charged with first-degree attempted murder, kidnapping, second-degree terroristic threatening and harassment by stalking after being indicted for allegedly offering to pay $3,350 to Ronald Bonilla and Lawrence Verzosa to beat and kill a man who was involved with Yabo's wife.
On Nov. 9, 2006, the victim was confronted and kidnapped by Bonilla and Verzosa, police said. Posing as police officers, the suspects allegedly forced the victim into a vehicle in West Maui and drove through Kahakuloa to Kahului, where they beat him. The victim was released after promising to pay Bonilla $100,000, according to police.
The victim hitchhiked home to Lahaina and called police.
Detectives arrested Bonilla the next day when he showed up in Kapalua to collect the money from the victim, police said.
A trial for Yabo had been scheduled to begin next week.
But in court yesterday, he agreed instead to plead no contest to the charge, which was reduced from the first-degree attempted murder charge that carried a penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The prosecution agreed to dismiss the other charges against Yabo and recommend that his minimum term be set at five years.
If the parole board sets a higher minimum term, Yabo will withdraw his plea and a trial date will be set for him, according to the plea agreement.
Second Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza agreed to follow the terms of the plea agreement when he sentences Yabo on Dec. 22.
With trials pending for the two other men charged in the murder-for-hire plot, Deputy Prosecutor Robert Rivera declined to comment after the hearing.
Bonilla, 63, of Paia, and Verzosa, 45, of Wailuku, are in custody awaiting trial.