14.08.24 Police arrest Kona teenager for multiple child pornography-related offenses

Hawaii Police Department
Criminal Investigation Department II
Captain Akira Edmoundson
Phone: (808) 326-4646, extension 263

Media release

After a year-long joint investigation with federal law enforcement, Hawaii Island Police arrested 18-year-old Dominic Roberts of Kailua Kona and charged him with ten misdemeanors related to the production, possession and distribution of child pornography.

Roberts was originally arrested in December 2023 at the age of 17, but is now 18 years old. On Monday, August 12, 2024, he was found competent to be tried as an adult in adult criminal court by a Hawaii State Family Court Judge. Roberts was released from Family Court custody and taken into police custody on 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.

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].