An 18-year-old Kailua-Kona man is in custody and facing 10 charges related to child pornography.
Dominic Alexander Roberts, also known as Dominic Alexander Parker, was arrested late Monday afternoon and charged with first-degree promotion of child abuse, eight counts of second-degree promotion of child abuse, and two counts of using a computer in the commission of second-degree promotion of child abuse.
According to the complaint, Roberts was in possession of numerous images of adults sexually assaulting children and infants, sadomasochistic content involving a man defecating on an infant, and bestiality.
He also is accused of producing pornography, allegedly taking a photo of an infant’s genitalia.
The offenses are alleged to have occurred between Dec. 15, 2022, and Dec. 14, 2023.
Deputy Prosecutor Annaliese Wolf has filed a motion requesting Roberts be held in custody without bail.
According to the motion, the state fears “there is a serious risk (Roberts) will flee or otherwise be without (an) appropriate residence, will attempt to intimidate witnesses, and will pose a danger to himself or particular people involved in the case and the community.”
At Roberts’ initial court hearing Tuesday, Deputy Public Defender Lezlie Kiaha requested the court free the teen on supervised release — a form of cashless bail — or as an alternative, to place him on house arrest with electronic monitoring or to reduce his bail.
Wolf noted that she had filed the motion to hold Roberts without bail.
Kona District Judge Ann Datta maintained Roberts’ bail at $130,000 and ordered him to return to court Thursday for a preliminary hearing and a hearing about the prosecution’s request to hold him without bail.
First-degree promotion of child abuse is a Class A felony that carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence upon conviction. Second-degree promotion of child abuse is a Class B felony with a maximum 10-year prison sentence, and the use of a computer charge is a Class C felony that carries a maximum five-year prison term.
Roberts remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com