2 officers’
homes searched

The raids are part of a federal
probe of cockfight gambling

CORRECTION Wednesday, April 13, 2005 » The FBI raided the home of a Honolulu police sergeant last week who works in the department's gambling detail. A story on Page A5 yesterday incorrectly identified the sergeant as being with the Windward Oahu Crime Reduction Unit. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com.

FBI agents searched the homes of two more Honolulu police officers last week in a federal investigation into illegal cockfighting.

Agents armed with search warrants went Wednesday to the homes of a sergeant in the Windward Oahu Crime Reduction Unit with 29 years' experience and of a 28-year veteran currently assigned to the Criminal Intelligence Unit.

Sources said the raids are to gather records and files about alleged illegal gambling on cockfights in Waialua which allegedly involve some officers and their families. Sources said the information is being gathered via a federal wiretap involving a separate, ongoing gambling and narcotics investigation.

FBI spokesman Arnold Laanui confirmed that two more search warrants were executed on Wednesday, but declined to comment about what the investigation was about or whether some Honolulu police officers were suspects. Police Department officials have said Chief Boisse Correa is aware of the investigation but cannot comment.

On March 31, federal agents searched the homes of four officers, including a Wahiawa patrol sergeant with 20 years on the force; two members of District 4's (Windward Oahu) Crime Reduction Unit, one a six-year veteran and another a 20-year veteran; and a member of the Vice Division's gambling detail with 22 years on the force who has been on almost every police bust involving cockfighting in the last several years.

None of the police officers being investigated by the FBI for cockfighting have been arrested.

Last month, the FBI arrested and charged another veteran Honolulu police officer, 49-year-old Robert Henry Sylva, with selling crystal methamphetamine. Honolulu police officials said the cases are unrelated.