Man accused of sexually abusing 2 minors indicted

The state has filed a motion requesting that a 44-year-old Mountain View man facing 15 felony charges in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of minors be held without bail.

The motion was filed Monday in Hilo Circuit Court in the case of Joseph Donald Tibbs, who was indicted Monday by a Hilo grand jury.

The alleged offenses occurred between Feb. 1 and May 29, according to the indictment.

The 15-count indictment charges Tibbs with seven counts of first-degree sexual assault, two counts of first-degree promotion of child abuse, two counts of second-degree promotion of child abuse, two counts of use of a computer in the commission of a separate crime, and two counts of incest.

The most serious charges, first-degree sexual assault and first-degree promotion of child abuse, are Class A felonies that carry a potential prison term of 20 years for each count.

Tibbs appeared Tuesday before Hilo Circuit Judge Peter Kubota and pleaded not guilty pleas to the charges. The judge set a hearing for “further proceedings” at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 29.

No trial date has been set.

Kubota also scheduled a hearing about the motion to hold Tibbs without bail at 9:30 a.m. June 15. He maintained Tibbs’ bail at $4.815 million.

“The state is prepared to present evidence that the defendant is charged with serious crimes, presents a serious risk to victims, and is a flight risk,” the motion filed by Deputy Prosecutor Annaliese Wolf states. “There are no conditions of release … that could truly restrain the defendant.”

Tibbs is alleged to have produced or participated in the making of child pornography with photos or videos of two different children, identified in the indictment as Persons 1 and 2.

He also is accused of disseminating child pornography and possessing 30 or more images of child pornography, with at least one image containing a minor younger than 12.

In addition, Tibbs is accused of sexually assaulting Person 1 and Person 2, female victims described in the indictment as at least 14 but less than 16 years old and who are related by blood so closely that marriage between the victims and Tibbs wouldn’t be legally allowed.

Probable charge affidavits and other documents identifying victims have been sealed by court order.

Police say there appears to be additional victims who haven’t yet been identified, and the investigation is continuing.

Tibbs, who was originally arrested Thursday and charged Friday, appeared Monday in Hilo District Court, prior to the indictment being filed. He was ordered to return to District Court today for a preliminary hearing, but the indictment makes that unnecessary.

After Tibbs was arrested, police executed a search warrant on his residence, where numerous electronic devices and other evidence was recovered, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

The charges against Tibbs stem from a monthslong investigation involving the Internet Crimes Against Children task force, HPD, 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.

Police say that investigation determined that Tibbs allegedly had been engaging in sexual conduct with minors for more than a year.

The investigation continues as law enforcement conducts forensic examinations of evidence and attempts to identify additional potential victims.

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.