Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that four men were arrested and charged this past weekend as a part of “Operation Keiki Shield,” an initiative focused on identifying and arresting offenders who commit internet-facilitated sex crimes against minors and rescuing victims of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Between Friday, March 31, and Sunday, April 2, 2023, the Hawaii Police Department partnered with the Hawaii County Prosecutor’s Office and the Hawai’i Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which consists of personnel and law enforcement officers from the Honolulu Police Department, Maui Police Department, Department of Attorney General, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to conduct Operation Keiki Shield.
Operation Keiki Shield is a statewide, coordinated effort involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies tasked with the investigation and prosecution of internet-facilitated crimes against children. The sting operation took place in Kona via the internet with investigators posing as underage teens.
During the sting operation, the following suspects were arrested and charged:
- Micaiah Hoomaikai Smith, age 31, was charged with first-degree electronic enticement of a child and attempted promoting pornography for minors. His bail was set at $15,000 and he was released after posting bail.
- Joseph Michael Marshall, age 42, was charged with first-degree electronic enticement of a child. His bail was set at $10,000 and he was given supervised release.
- Vincent Antonio, age 36, was charged with first-degree electronic enticement of a child. His bail was set at $10,000 and he was given supervised release.
- Ryen Knapp, age 40, was charged with first-degree electronic enticement of a child, endangering the welfare of minor. His bail was set at $50,000 and he was released after posting bail.
On the morning of April 3, 2023, Marshall and Antonio made their initial appearances in Kona District Court where they were granted supervised release over Prosecutors’ objections. Smith and Knapp were previously released from custody after posting bail. Later that afternoon, Prosecutors indicted the four men before a Kona grand jury. Grand jury warrants were issued on Tuesday afternoon. All of the arraignments will be scheduled in Kona Circuit Court.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty