Big Island Resident Arrested and Charged with Possessing Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Firearms, and Explosives

News Release from U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Hawaii, Friday, June 27, 2025

HONOLULU – Acting United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced today that Shannan Hostetler, 54, of Pahoa, Hawaii, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possessing with intent to distribute and manufacture methamphetamine, possessing with intent to distribute cocaine, unlawful possessions of firearms, and unlawful possession of explosives. An initial appearance in federal court is scheduled for June 30, 2025. 

Earlier this year, the Hawaii Police Department received a community tip indicating that a known narcotics trafficker was frequently visiting Hostetler’s property under a suspected arrangement to stash firearms, money, and narcotics. On June 24, 2025, Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant on Hostetler’s Pahoa properties. The search resulted in the seizure of, among other things, a Glock 43 handgun, shotguns, a bolt-action rifle, cocaine, and both oil and crystalized methamphetamine, as well as materials suggesting a methamphetamine-conversion lab was being operated on the premises. During the search, bomb-squad personnel from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Maui Police Department, and the Kauai Police Department assisted case investigators by clearing and seizing suspected explosive devices from the premises. 

If convicted of the charged offenses, Hostetler faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and fines of up to $10 million. The charges in the criminal complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant 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.

Less than 24 hours after the law enforcement concluded its search of Hostetler’s properties, an interested third party—having learned of the search— contacted investigators and turned over twenty more firearms, including at least five AR-15 style assault rifles, a 45 ACP carbine, a 12-gauge shotgun, and a 6.5 Grendel tactical rifle outfitted with a scope and bipod. Some of the firearms were loaded with extended magazines.

The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Hawaii Police Department, with assistance from the Maui and Kauai Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Slack.