Six Arrested for Conspiracy and Operation of An Illegal Cockfighting Gambling Business

News Release from U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Hawaii, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

HONOLULU – Edward Caspino, 46, of Waianae, William Caspino, 48, of Waianae, Lavern Joseph, 71, of Waianae, and Kerilyn Keliinoi, 31, of Waianae were arraigned today on a four-count Indictment returned by a federal grand jury on October 26, 2023. All four pled not guilty, and trial was set for January 17, 2024. Two other defendants, Fauston Aragon, Jr., 65, of Pearl City, and Howard Unebasami, 80, of Waianae, are expected to appear later this week.

Counts 1 and 2 of the Indictment charge all six defendants with conspiracy and the operation of an illegal gambling business. According to the Indictment, the defendants conducted, financed, managed, supervised, directed or owned an illegal gambling business at a property in Waianae. The group allegedly hosted multiple, large-scale chicken fights, called “derbies,” at the property between June 2020 and March 2023, that involved gambling on the fights, as well as other unlawful games of chance. Count 3 charges Edward Caspino with the operation of illegal game rooms.

If convicted, each defendant faces a term of imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to $250,000, and supervised release of up to three years on each of Counts 1, 2, and 3.

Edward Caspino also made an initial appearance today on a separate Criminal Complaint in which he is charged with three counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to the Criminal Complaint, on three occasions in July 2021, Edward Caspino distributed approximately one pound of methamphetamine to an individual working with federal law enforcement. Each of these counts carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years incarceration, a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000,000.

The charges in the Indictment and Criminal Complaint are merely accusations, and each of the charged individuals is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. In the case of conviction, any sentence would be imposed by a United States District Judge based on the statutory sentencing factors and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The charges are the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese.

---30--- 

Nov 7, 2023: Special prosecutor back in Hawaii -- Which politician will he arrest next?

PDF: Caspino Meth Indictment

PDF: Caspino etal Gambling Indictment

SA Oct 2023: "The cockfight was in the rear dirt lot at 87-131 Kaukamana Road. Shooting victim Miyose told detectives three brothers began arguing after the event was over with six male affiliates of Eddie Caspino, a well-known Waianae chicken fight organizer."

SA: Alleged ‘Westside’ gang leader pleads not guilty 

"Edward Caspino also made an initial appearance in connection with allegations in a separate complaint that he fronted methamphetamine and set up sales of the drug in $6,500 increments in July 2021 with an old friend working as a confidential source for the government....

"Federal agents also on March 2 seized $468,800 in illegal proceeds allegedly from the group from safe deposit boxes at Bank of Hawaii’s Waianae Branch. Agents also took $122,763 on March 29 from a home on Moekolu Street in Waianae."  

ILind: Waianae cockfighting and gambling arrests raise more questions

HNN: HPD crackdown on West Oahu crime nets scores of arrests 

SA: Illegal Oahu game rooms a hot topic at town hall meeting

CB: Honolulu Residents Face Federal Charges Over Cockfighting Operation