A 44-year-old Puna man has been arrested and charged with an array of sexual-related offenses against minors.
Bail of $4.815 million has been set for Joseph Donald Tibbs, who on Friday was charged with seven counts of first-degree sexual assault, two counts of first-degree promoting child abuse, two counts of second-degree promoting child abuse, two counts of incest, and two counts of use of a computer in the commission of a separate crime.
Tibbs remained in police custody today pending his initial court appearance scheduled for this afternoon in Hilo District Court.
The charges against Tibbs stem from a months-long investigation between the Internet Crimes Against Children task force, the Hawaii Police Department, the Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, and Homeland Security Investigations.
The Maui Police Department also assisted in recovering and analyzing various electronic devices.
In March, law enforcement personnel were first alerted about Tibbs through tips identifying him as being in possession of, and electronically disseminating, various forms of child pornography, according to HPD.
As the investigation progressed, investigators identified some of the female victims in photos and videos. However, there appear to be additional victims who police have yet to identify, police said.
On Thursday morning, law enforcement arrested Tibbs shortly after he left his Mountain View residence.
Following Tibbs’ arrest, police executed a search warrant on his residence, where numerous electric devices and other evidence was recovered, according to HPD.
During the course of the investigation, police determined that Tibbs had allegedly been engaging in sexual conduct with minors for over a period of one year.
The investigation continues as law enforcement conducts forensic examinations of evidence and attempts to identify additional potential victims.
Police ask anyone who may have information related to Tibbs and this investigation to contact Detective Chandler Nacino of the Vice Section in Kona at (808) 326-4646, extension 312, or via email at Chandler.Nacino@hawaiicounty.gov.
People with knowledge of or suspect someone of committing crimes against children are urged to report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) 24-hour hotline at 1-800-843-5678, Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300, or call 911.
