Kalihi Man Sentenced to Over Nine Years in Prison for Gunpoint Game Room Robbery

HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Chris Pham, 22, of Kalihi, Oahu, was sentenced on November 9, 2026, by Senior United States District Judge Helen Gillmor to 111 months in federal prison for Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during the commission of the robbery, followed by five years of supervised release.

As admitted in the plea agreement, on or about December 27, 2024, the defendant robbed approximately $3,000 from an illegal game room in Honolulu, brandishing a firearm at the operators and patrons of the game room and threatening to shoot if they moved.  He later admitted to displaying a loaded privately made firearm, or “ghost gun,” during the course of the robbery.  He was arrested in March 2025 in possession of a separate firearm and ammunition.

“Illegal game rooms are a hotbed of violence and criminal activity, attracting people like Chris Pham who see them as cash-rich targets for armed robbery,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson.  “In coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to dismantle and disrupt illegal game rooms on the islands and prosecute any criminal activity we find associated with them.”

“This sentence reflects the serious threat posed by violent offenders who choose to arm themselves while engaging in criminal activity,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge Tom Ryan.  “The defendant’s actions related to robbery and illegal firearm possession demonstrated a clear disregard for the safety of our community.  The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to removing dangerous individuals and illegal weapons from our streets and holding offenders accountable for their actions.”

The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, 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.