Hawai‘i Island police have charged five men for child sex solicitation as part of a multi-agency undercover investigation to catch online child predators.
Between May 6 and May 8, 2021, Operation Keiki Shield East Hawai‘i was conducted by members of the 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 following suspects were arrested and charged during the operation:
- Nolan O. Tallet, 45, of Hilo, charged with Electronic Enticement of a Child 1. His bail is set at $50,000.
- Sonny Eugenio Puerto, 28, of Kurtistown, charged with Electronic Enticement of a Child 1. His bail is set at $50,000.
- Kanani Ikaika Perreira-Yurong, 31, of Hilo, charged with Electronic Enticement of a Child 1. His bail is set at $50,000.
- Joseph Michael Powell, 36, of Hilo, charged with Electronic Enticement of a Child 1. His bail is set at $50,000.
- Marshall K. Baji, 31, of Nā ‘ālehu, 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 was released on his own recognizance.
Photo Courtesy of the Hawaiʻi County Police Department