Today Hawaii Police department identified the fifth suspect as Marshall K. Baji, 31, of Nā ‘ālehu. Baji has been charged with Electronic Enticement Of A Child 1, Promoting Pornography For Minors, Promoting Minor-Produced Sexual Images, Promotion Of A Dangerous Drug 3, Promotion of a Detrimental Drug, Prohibited Acts Related To Drug Paraphernalia, Place To Keep Ammunition, Loaded Firearm On Highway, Permit To Acquire and Registration Mandatory. He has been released on his own recognizance.
Four other suspects were identified yesterday as:
- Nolan O. Tallet, 45, of Hilo, charged with Electronic Enticement Of A Child 1. His bail is set at $50,000. Tallet was released after posting bail.
- Sonny Eugenio Puerto, 28, of Kurtistown, charged with Electronic Enticement Of A Child 1. His bail is set at $50,000. Bail maintained by courts.
- Kanani Ikaika Perreira-Yurong, 31, of Hilo, charged with Electronic Enticement Of A Child 1. His bail is set at $50,000. Bail maintained by courts.
- Joseph Michael Powell, 36, of Hilo, charged with Electronic Enticement Of A Child 1 and Attempt attended circumstances Promoting pornography for minors disseminate material bail is set at $50,100. Bail maintained by court.
Hawai‘i Island police charged all five men for child sex solicitation as part of a multi-agency undercover investigation to catch online child predators. Between Thursday, May 6 and Saturday, May 8, Operation Keiki Shield East Hawai‘i was conducted by members of Hawai‘i Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), along with special agents from the Department of the Attorney General – Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the United States Secret Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The multi-agency collaborative operation focused on targeting individuals who solicit children for sexual acts electronically.
“The people of Hawai‘i, and most especially our children, are safer when state law enforcement agencies partner with our county and federal counterparts,” says Attorney General Clare E. Connors. “The Department of the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is such a partnership, and this joint operation demonstrates our continued commitment to identifying and prosecuting child predators in our communities by working together.”
“HSI Honolulu is committed to arresting and prosecuting those who commit crimes against our keiki,” says Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge John F. Tobon. “We are happy to work with our partners at the Hawai‘i Police Department state level by providing the necessary resources to not only get these predators off the streets, but most importantly provide assistance to the victims.”
“Protecting our keiki from sexual predators is a top priority of our Office. Operation Keiki Shield is a collaborative effort by the Hawai‘i Island law enforcement community along with State and Federal partners to prevent child sexual exploitation and abuse. Our Office is committed to seeking justice for these egregious offenses to the fullest extent of the law,” said Prosecuting Attorney Waltjen. “Our Office would also like to extend a big Mahalo the Department of the Attorney General, Clare E. Connors, Attorney General, and Ed Arias, ICAC Commander and his ICAC Task Force team, and Police Chief Paul Ferreira and Lieutenant Sandor Finkey, Area I Juvenile Aid Section, Hawai‘i Police Department, for their assistance in coordinating this weekend’s Operation.”
Hawaii Police Department would like to remind parents to monitor the use of their children’s mobile applications.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
