Kona, Hawaiʻi – Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that Dominic Roberts, 19, of Kona, was sentenced to prison on Friday in Kona Circuit Court. Roberts faced numerous felony charges related to the possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse material.
Roberts was convicted of:
- Promoting Child Abuse in the First Degree (a Class A felony)
- Use of a Computer in Commission of a Separate Crime (a Class A felony)
- Promoting Child Abuse in the Second Degree – Dissemination (a Class B felony)
As a Young Adult Defendant, Roberts received a maximum sentence of 8 years in prison for the Class A felonies and 5 years in prison for the Class B felony, with all sentences to run concurrently. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. The Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority will determine his minimum prison term.
This case originated from an extensive, ongoing investigation into online conduct that spanned the globe. Roberts was found to be affiliated with an online group engaged in stalking, harassment, and bullying of teenagers. Vulnerable children online were frequently coerced into creating disturbing digital content, which was then further used to victimize them through dissemination, blackmail, or extortion for additional content.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney urges the community to be vigilant about the dangers of online extortion and to take proactive steps to protect children (keiki) from such threats.
The felony investigation was led by Detective Chandler Nacino of the Hawaiʻi Police Department’s Area II Vice West Section, and Special Agent Alicia Hansen of the FBI, Honolulu. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Annaliese Wolf.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains committed to pursuing justice with integrity and dedication. Anyone with information that could assist local law enforcement is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.