A 36-year-old man received a 4 3/4-year prison term yesterday, the first person to be sentenced among dozens arrested this year following a two-year federal gambling and drug investigation.

Keoki Moniz had earlier pleaded guilty to selling two plastic bags containing about 50 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant at Moniz's Waialua home in May 2004.

Moniz admitted the informant gave him $4,400 for the drugs and an additional $100 tip for arranging the deal.

U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor ordered Moniz to start serving his 57-month sentence Nov. 2.

Moniz was among 37 defendants charged in 10 indictments returned by federal grand juries in April on cockfighting, gambling, extortion and drug charges as a result of the FBI investigation that included wiretaps of at least 10 phones.

The investigation was launched in March 2004 when a secretary for the FBI was suspected of leaking confidential information to suspected drug dealers, according to the FBI.

Among those charged were five police officers, a Honolulu Liquor Commission inspector and the head of security at Aloha Stadium, who all pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trials.

Moniz told the judge yesterday he accepts responsibility for his actions. "I just want to move forward in my life," he said.

Moniz's lawyer, Emmett Lee Loy, said his client played a "minor" role in the drug conspiracy, but wants to leave his former way of life behind.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Cushman told the judge Moniz has provided cooperation and assistance to the FBI.

Moniz had faced a sentence of 46 to 57 months under federal sentencing guidelines.

Reach Ken Kobayashi at kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com.