Hilo man pleads guilty to meth trafficking, gun charges; faces life in prison, $10 million fine

A day before Eddie  P. Poai of Hilo was set to begin a jury trial, he pled guilty Tuesday in federal court to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing firearms during drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson announced.

Sentencing for 50-year-old Poai is set for April 20 before U.S. District Judge Shanlyn A. S. Park. 

Poai faces a maximum term of life in prison, with a combined mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 20 years and supervised release of up to life. He also faces a fine of up to $10 million.

Poai, who has prior felony convictions, was charged in connection with three incidents on the Big Island stretching from February 2021 to October 2022,  according to court records.

On Feb. 11, 2021, Poai possessed more than 90 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded Hi-Point .45 caliber pistol with an extended  magazine.

According to court documents, the drugs and firearm were found following a traffic stop initiated by Hawaiʻi Island Officer Danton Zimmermann, who saw a black Toyota pick-up truck with a defective passenger side rear taillight and pulled it over. Poai was driving and the sole occupant.

When Zimmerman checked the license plate, he learned it belonged to a 1998 Ford and was not owned by Poai, who did not have a valid driver’s license, insurance or registration paperwork for the vehicle. When Poai was told the vehicle was going to be towed, he ran. The vehicle had been reported stolen.

Poai was on the lam for more than a year.

On June 9, 2022, Hawaiʻi Island police officers searched for fugitive Poai at Kaluahine Place in the Puna District after seeing him leave a property on Kaluahine Street during prior attempted contacts.

Hawaiʻi Island Officer Kupono Mata walked down the gravel driveway and stopped near a blue pop-up tent, under which was a black and red motorcycle, a gray speaker box, a
camouflage-colored backpack, a black PVC pipe capped on both ends and a gallon
size Ziplock bag containing a green plant type substance believe to be marijuana.

After getting a state search warrant, officers found more than 600 grams of methamphetamine on the property, along with fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and several thousand dollars. They also found numerous  weapons, including a loaded Springfield .45 caliber pistol and an AR-15-style  rifle.

Also seized was a cellphone, with a phone number that ultimately led to finding Poai through conversations with an inmate at Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center.

On Oct. 25, 2022, Hawaiʻi Island police officers searched for Poai on a gated property near Hawaiian Acres. Officers found him. Poai ran into the nearby brush carrying a grey and black backpack. Poai ditched it before being caught and arrested. The officers found the backpack that contained a loaded 9mm Taurus pistol and more than 11 grams of methamphetamine. He also had $4,000 dollars in his pocket. 

In the criminal complaint, it said the firearm and ammunition were shipped and transported in interstate commerce.

In Poai’s plea agreement, he voluntarily ple guilty to Counts 1, 2 and 8 of the indictment, which charge him with possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (Count 1), and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (Counts 2 and 8).

In return, the U.S. Attorney agrees to move to dismiss Counts 3 through 7 and 9 of the Indictment after sentencing. These counts include felon possessing a firearm and ammunition, possession with intent to distribute meth and fentanyl and a separate count of possession of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

In 2018, Hawaiʻi Island police arrested and charged Poai, who was previously featured on “Hawaii Island’s Most Wanted”.

In the criminal complaint it said Poai has felony convictions in the State of Hawaii in 2014 for
third degree promoting a dangerous drug, first degree promoting a detrimental drug
and prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia. Poai was sentenced to five years imprisonment.

Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Hawaiʻi Police Department investigated the current case that was part of the nationwide initiative Operation Take Back America.