44-year-old Joseph Donald Tibbs, of Puna was arrested and charged with offenses related to multiple sexual assaults of minors, production and dissemination of child pornography, and incest for incidents that occurred between February and May 2025.

Yesterday, Tibbs made his initial Hilo District Court appearance where his bail was maintained at $4,815,000.00 and he was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on June 4

Prosecutors filed a motion requesting that Tibbs be detained without bail in addition to a motion requesting that court documents be sealed to protect the privacy interests of the involved minors and to preserve the integrity of the investigation, as it remains ongoing.

As the Complaint alleges, Tibbs is charged with seven counts of Sexual Assault in the First Degree, two counts of Promoting Child Abuse in the First Degree, two counts of Promoting Child Abuse in the Second Degree, two counts of Use of a Computer in the Commission of a Separate Crime, and two counts of Incest. The most serious offenses, Sexual Assault in the First Degree, Promoting Child Abuse in the First Degree, and Use of a Computer in the Commission of a Separate Crime, are all class A felony offenses and carry a penalty of a twenty-year prison term.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The collaborative law enforcement investigation included the Hawai‘i State Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, Hawai‘i County Police Department, Maui Police Department, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, and Department of Homeland Security Investigations.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Annaliese Wolf.

 

 

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