Kona teenager arrested, child pornography charges expected

(BIVN) – An 18-year-old from Kona was arrested and charged with alleged “production, possession and distribution” of child pornography.

According to police, Dominic Roberts of Kailua Kona was first arrested in December 2023 when he was 17 years old. He has since turned 18 and a Hawaii state family court judge has found Roberts eligible to be tried as an adult in adult criminal court.

The charges are the result of a year-long joint investigation by the Hawaii Police Department and federal authorities.

According to police, Roberts was “released from the custody of the Family Court and taken into police custody pursuant to a warrant” for the following offenses:

• Promoting first degree child abuse (production)
• Two counts of promoting child abuse in the second degree (possession of 30 or more images or videos of child pornography and at least one image involving a minor under the age of 12, sadomasochistic abuse of a minor, or zoophilia involving a minor).
• Five counts of promoting child abuse in the second degree (distribution of child pornography)
• 2 cases of using a computer in committing a separate crime

His bail was set at $130,000.

In a press release, police added:

The offenses of using a computer to commit a separate crime and promoting child abuse in the first degree are Class A felonies.

The offenses of promoting child abuse in the second degree are class B felonies.

Roberts made his first appearance in District Court on Tuesday, August 13, where the court upheld his bail.

These charges stem from tips from the public and our numerous federal partners, which led to the execution of numerous search warrants and the seizure of numerous electronic devices.

Police would like to remind the public to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of their children when surfing the Internet and using social media.

Police are asking anyone with additional information about the incident or who knows the identities of other victims to contact Detective Chandler Nacino of the Area II Child Services Division at (808) 326-4646, extension 301, or by email at [email protected].