HONOLULU, HI – Edward Caspino, 47, of Waianae, was sentenced on April 11, 2025 to 168 months (14 years) in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for distributing methamphetamine and operating a large-scale illegal gambling business involving chicken fights. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright in Honolulu.
According to Acting United States Attorney Kenneth M. Sorenson of the District of Hawaii, Caspino was found guilty of distributing a total of three pounds of methamphetamine on three separate occasions in July 2021. He also organized and conducted a large-scale chicken fighting operation on his 10-acre property in Waianae from February 2021 through March 2023. These events, which involved hundreds of spectators betting on the outcome of numerous individual fights, constituted illegal gambling under Hawaiian state law.
In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Seabright ordered Caspino to forfeit his interest in over $600,000 in cash seized by investigators, as well as his interest in the 10-acre property used for the illegal gambling operation.
Caspino is the first of six co-conspirators to be sentenced in this case. William Caspino, Lavern Joseph, Kerilyn Caspino, and Fausto Aragon, Jr. have all pleaded guilty to charges related to the illegal gambling conspiracy. Howard Unebasami was convicted of conspiracy and operating an illegal gambling business by a jury after a four-day trial in March 2025.
“Today’s lengthy sentence demonstrates that federal authorities will work together to put behind bars those responsible for illegal gambling operations and the community violence and drug trafficking tied to them,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “This prosecution has already secured convictions against five coconspirators, and Caspino’s 168-month sentence stands as a stark warning: running an illegal gambling business in Hawaii carries serious and lasting consequences under federal law.”
Authorities emphasized the seriousness of Caspino’s crimes, highlighting the negative impact of drug trafficking and illegal gambling on the community.
“The methamphetamine epidemic continues to threaten the health, safety and wellbeing of our communities,” said Anthony Chrysanthis, Deputy Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Los Angeles Field Division. “We are determined to intercept drug suppliers and to disrupt their criminal activities, at every point.”
Today’s sentencing of Mr. Caspino and the guilty pleas of the co-defendants is a testament to HSI’s unwavering commitment to combating illegal narcotics and gambling operations that threaten the safety and well-being of our communities,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas. “We will continue to pursue justice and hold accountable those who violate federal laws designed to protect our communities.”
FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter reiterated the FBI’s commitment to protecting communities. “Today’s sentencing sends a strong message that we will use every available resource to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle these organizations.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Coast Guard Investigative Service, and the Honolulu Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese.
The investigation was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation, which aims to dismantle high-level criminal organizations through a multi-agency approach.
