A Kona Circuit judge has more than doubled the bail of an 18-year-old Kailua-Kona man accused of production and circulation of child pornography.
A Kailua-Kona grand jury on Wednesday returned a 10-count indictment of Dominic Alexander Roberts, also known as Dominic Alexander Parker. He is 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.
The offenses allegedly occurred between Dec. 15, 2022, and Dec. 14, 2023.
A bench warrant issued with the indictment raised Roberts’ bail — previously set by prosecutors and affirmed by a District Court judge at $130,000 — to $290,000.
The bench warrant also orders Roberts, if he is able to post bail, to stay away from witnesses — all identified by initials or online pseudonyms — in Hawaii, Pennsylvania and Illinois.
He’s also ordered to not possess a smart phone, to not access the internet, to not use text messaging, to not go to schools and to not approach or contact minors, except through legal counsel for the purpose of advocacy.
Roberts also will be subjected to electronic monitoring, should he be released from custody prior to trial.
Roberts is charged as an adult, although the investigation in his case started when he was a juvenile and was conducted over the span of a year by police and federal law enforcers, police said.
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.
Roberts pleaded not guilty to the charges on Thursday. A jury trial was scheduled for Dec. 10.
He also was ordered to appear in court Sept. 6 for a hearing about a motion by prosecutors to hold him 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.”
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.
