Big Island Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Trafficking and Firearm Charges

HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Eddie P. Poai, 50, of Hilo, Hawaii, pled guilty yesterday in federal court to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking crimes.  Paoi pled guilty the day before he was set to begin his federal jury trial.  Sentencing is set for April 20, 2026, before United States District Judge Shanlyn A. S. Park.

Poai, who has prior felony convictions, was charged in connection with three incidents on Hawaii Island stretching from February 2021 to October 2022, according to court records.  On February 11, 2021, Poai possessed over 90 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded Hi-Point .45 caliber pistol with an extended magazine.  Officers with the Hawaii Police Department (“Hawaii PD”) found the methamphetamine and loaded pistol in Poai’s truck after he departed the scene of a traffic stop.  On June 9, 2022, Hawaii PD Officers searched for Poai on a property in the Maku’u area, after seeing him flee from that property during prior attempted contacts.  Officers found over 600 grams of methamphetamine on the property, along with fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, several thousand dollars, and numerous weapons, including a loaded Springfield .45 caliber pistol and an AR-15-style rifle.  Finally, on October 25, 2022, Hawaii PD Officers searched for Poai on a property near Hawaiian Acres.  Officers chased Poai on foot, ultimately arresting him and finding a loaded 9mm Taurus pistol and more than 11 grams of methamphetamine in Poai’s backpack.  Poai, also had several thousand dollars in his pocket.

Poai faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life—with a combined mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 20 years—as well as a term of supervised release of up to life, and a fine of up to $10,000,000.

Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Hawaii Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeannette Graviss and Jonathan Slack are prosecuting the case.

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.