A second Honolulu police officer has pleaded guilty in a scheme to protect an illegal cockfight and gambling operation in Waialua.

Bryson Apo, 31, admitted yesterday that he provided the operators information about when police would raid the illegal activities and also acknowledged that he would bet on the cockfights "from time to time" during the 2004 to 2005 cockfighting season.

"I did provide inside information to the gambling operation in Waialua," he told U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway.

Apo, an eight-year veteran of the police force, pleaded guilty to conspiring to obstruct the enforcement of criminal laws, a charge that carries a prison term of up to five years. But federal advisory sentencing guidelines call for a lesser prison term.

Apo remains free on bond and is scheduled to be sentenced by Mollway on May 29.

Police officer Glenn Miram pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge last year and is scheduled to be sentenced this year.

The two are among three Honolulu officers charged last year in connection with the cockfight, card game and dice operation across the street from Waialua Elementary School. The charges were the result of a massive FBI wiretap operation into gambling, drug and other illegal activities.

Kevin Brunn, the third officer, is awaiting trial.

Others charged as a result of the FBI probe are officers Barry Tong, charged with illegal possession of a firearm, and John Cambra IV, who was charged with trying to prevent the FBI from recovering cockfight gaffs. They are awaiting trial.

Also charged in an extortion case were former Aloha Stadium security chief Herbert Naone and former Honolulu Liquor Commission inspector James Rodenhurst. Both pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

About 30 others also were charged with offenses ranging from gambling to drug violations.

Apo yesterday admitted to the case against him as outlined by Assistant U.S. Attorney Florence Nakakuni. The prosecutor told the judge that Apo conspired with Miram and the operators of the cockfight and gambling enterprise to help protect the activities by telling them when police would raid the place.

Apo admitted that on one occasion, in January 2005, he told one of the leaders to shut down the Waialua cockfights because he got the information "straight from the horse's mouth."

On another occasion, in December 2004, he learned that the gambling detail "would hit Wai'anae tomorrow" so the Waialua cockfights could be held without "law enforcement intervention," Apo acknowledged.

Apo declined to comment after the hearing.

Reach Ken Kobayashi at kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com.