18 year-old Dominic Alexander Roberts of Kona was held without bail following a September 17 Kona Circuit Court hearing.

On August 15, 2024, Roberts was charged with one count of Promoting Child Abuse in the First Degree, five counts of Promoting Child Abuse in the Second Degree, and two counts of Use of a Computer in Commission of a Separate Crime. The most serious offense, Promoting Child Abuse in the First Degree, is a Class A felony offense which carries a maximum penalty of a twenty-year prison term. Bail was originally set at $290,000.00.

During the hearing, the prosecution presented evidence that Roberts engaged in dissemination of child sexual abuse material (“CSAM”) across multiple social media platforms. He also utilized cyber-bullying and extortion tactics to solicit CSAM and other harmful content from minors, and then disseminated the content online.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Annaliese Wolf.

HPD Photo