Convicted Felon Charged with Possessing a Firearm While on Bond in Reckless Endangering Case Involving Alleged Shooting
News Release from U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Hawaii, Monday, October 26, 2026
HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Penitila Faamoe, a/k/a “Junta,” “JUWS,” “John Wick,” 24, of Honolulu, Hawaii, was indicted on October 15, 2026, for illegally possessing a firearm. Faamoe appeared in court before United States Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Mansfield today and was ordered detained pending trial.
According to court filings, Faamoe, a convicted felon, possessed a loaded revolver with an obliterated serial number on May 30, 2026. Faamoe was out on bond at the time he possessed the firearm. He had been charged with reckless endangering in the first degree after allegedly shooting at a 25-year-old man on January 23, 2025. The case is pending in state court.
If convicted, Faamoe faces up to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, plus a term of supervised release.
The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation, 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.
The FBI and the Honolulu Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeannette Graviss is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative. PSN is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
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HNN: Faamoe was out on bond at the time, awaiting trial in a separate case connected to his alleged involvement in a shooting on January 23, 2025.
ECOURTKOKUA: 1DCW-21-0000358 - State v. Penitala Faamoe >>> 'Deferred Acceptance, Anger Management'