Description: Honolulu, Hawaii criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with operating an illegal cockfighting gambling business.

Counts 1 and 2 of the Indictment charged Edward Caspino, 46, of Waianae, William Caspino, 48, of Waianae, Lavern Joseph, 71, of Waianae, and Kerilyn Keliinoi, 31, of Waianae, 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.

18:371.F CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD THE UNITED STATES, 18 U.S.C. § 371
(1)
18:1955.F ILLEGAL GAMBLING, Illegal Gambling Business (Chicken Fighting), 18 U.S.C. § 1955
(2)
18:1955.F ILLEGAL GAMBLING, Illegal Gambling Business (Game Rooms), 18 U.S.C. § 1955
(3)

Outcome: 11/17/2023 35 EP: DETENTION HEARING as to Defendant Edward Caspino not held.

AUSA Michael Albanese appeared on behalf of the United States.

Mr. William Harrison appeared on behalf of Defendant.

Defendant present and in custody.

Discussion held.

Mr. Harrison requests a continuance.

Detention Hearing is CONTINUED to November 22, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. in Courtroom 7 before Magistrate Judge Wes Reber Porter.

Defendant remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service.

Detention Hearing is CONTINUED to 11/22/2023 10:30 AM in Courtroom 7 before MAGISTRATE JUDGE WES REBER PORTER

(FTR-CT 7 / 10:58 am - 11:03 am)
(MAGISTRATE JUDGE WES REBER PORTER)
(jo) (Entered: 11/17/2023)
11/17/2023 36 CRIMINAL SCHEDULING ORDER as to (01) Edward Caspino, (02) William Caspino, (03) Lavern Joseph, (04) Kerilyn Keliinoi, (05) Howard Unebasami, (06) Fausto Aragon, Jr - Signed by MAGISTRATE JUDGE WES REBER PORTER on 11/17/2023. (eta) (Entered: 11/17/2023)

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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