Convicted Felon Arrested and Charged After Being Found with Defaced 9mm Handgun, Ammunition, and Illegal Machine Gun Conversion Device

News Release from U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Hawaii, Friday, March 14, 2025

HONOLULU – Acting United States Attorney Kenneth M. Sorenson announced today that Chris Pham, 21, of Honolulu, Hawaii, was charged yesterday by criminal complaint with illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. A detention hearing in federal court is scheduled for March 20, 2025.

According to court documents, on March 12, 2025, law enforcement encountered Pham and found he was carrying a fully loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun with a defaced serial number. Pham was also carrying an additional magazine with 13 rounds of 9mm ammunition. During a search of Pham’s residence, law enforcement recovered a machine gun conversion device designed to turn a semiautomatic handgun into a fully automatic handgun. Law enforcement previously located an Instagram video showing Pham firing a fully automatic handgun into the air in public.

If convicted of the charged offense, Pham faces up to fifteen years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The charge in the criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and the defendant 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.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Honolulu Police Department.

It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara D. Ayabe.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

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2023-- Jury indicts 3 men in brutal Kalihi attack

SA Mar 29, 2023: … The attack occurred near Island West Apartments and 7-Eleven on North King Street at about 11 p.m. March 16.

Honolulu police in court documents said a man exited the convenience store and was walking back to his apartment when he passed a large group of males loitering in the area. One of the males then allegedly approached the man from behind and “sucker-punched” him in the face.

The male continued to punch the victim repeatedly in his face and body when other males in the group joined in and physically assaulted the victim.

One of the assailants struck the victim with a machete, resulting in a large gash on the victim’s head and neck, police said.

Video surveillance footage recovered by police showed the attack and two males removing what appeared to be a cellphone from the victim’s pocket during the assault.

After the suspects left the scene, the victim rushed to the apartment building to seek help. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Several days later police located Ungeni and Pham in Kalihi and arrested them in connection with the attack. Police identified the assailant who allegedly struck the victim with a machete as Ungeni.

The grand jury issued a $200,000 bench warrant for Ungeni and $50,000 bench warrant for Pham. Both men remain in custody at the Oahu Community Correctional Center.

A $50,000 bench warrant was also issued for Titus.

In February, Titus was charged in a separate case for third-degree assault. He was released following his Feb. 13 appearance at Honolulu District Court and ordered to return March 6 for a hearing.

A $200 bench warrant was issued for Titus’ arrest after he failed to appear at the hearing, according to court minutes ….

read … Jury indicts 3 men in brutal Kalihi attack