United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced on Mar. 24 that brothers Skyler Supapo, 24, and Sebastian Supapo, 20, of Kalihi, Hawaii, were arrested and charged for illegally possessing firearms.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address illegal firearm possession and related crimes. The investigation began after federal agents looked into online social media accounts and suspicious parcel shipments linked to the brothers.
According to a criminal complaint, agents executed a search warrant at a residence in Kalihi where they recovered a total of 44 firearms. Among the weapons found were an Uzi submachine gun, a pistol modified with a machinegun conversion device, at least two firearms with obliterated serial numbers, two short-barreled rifles, an AR-style pistol equipped with a suppressor or silencer, and one additional firearm suppressor or silencer.
The Supapo brothers are facing charges including possession of a machinegun; possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number; and possession of an unregistered National Firearms Act firearm. If convicted on these charges, each could face up to five years in prison for possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number and up to ten years for the other offenses. Fines may reach as much as $250,000 per charge.
Authorities emphasize that “the charges in the criminal complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.” Any sentence would be determined by a United States District Judge according to statutory sentencing factors and advisory guidelines.
The FBI and United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General are leading the investigation with help from several agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Honolulu Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barbara Eucker and Michael Albanese are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aiming to use Department of Justice resources against illegal immigration as well as violent crime.
