The federal sentencing for a man charged with smuggling 263 cockfighting gaffs is scheduled for this afternoon.

Joseph Toralba is the first person to be tried under the Federal Animal Fighting Prohibiton Act.

Under the new law, passed in May 2007, the trafficking of animal fighting and animal fighting paraphernalia is prohibited between states as well as between the U.S. & other countries.

Toralba was returning home to Louisiana from the Philippines when he was apprehended by customs officials at Honolulu International Airport.

He has already pled guilty and will be sentenced today in court.

---