Kona man sentenced after being found guilty of attempting to promote child pornography: Big Island Now

A Kona man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of attempting to promote pornography to minors.

Micaiah Smith, 32, was initially charged last year after being arrested as part of Operation Keiki Shield, which took place between March 31, 2023 and April 2, 2023 in Kona.

“Predatory behavior can take many forms, and people should recognize online behavior as a very real threat,” said Assistant District Attorney Annaliese Wolf. “Teenagers are particularly vulnerable online, as they seek social connections and interactions. Operation Keiki Shield is a reminder that people must remain vigilant online, as well as protect and educate their young loved ones about predatory behavior online.

During the trial, county prosecutors presented evidence that Smith exchanged text messages and sent photos of his genitals to an undercover police officer, who Smith believed to be a 15-year-old girl. Electronic enticement of a child in the first degree is a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to ten years in prison without the possibility of probation and requiring registration as a sex offender.

Attempting to promote pornography to minors is a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

The court sentenced Smith to a 10-year prison term for the electronic enticement offense and a five-year prison term for the pornography offense. The Court ordered that the sentences be served concurrently.

Smith, who remained free on $15,000 bail throughout the proceedings, was then ordered to be immediately taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.

Operation Keiki Shield is a collaborative state, federal, and local initiative that aims to identify and arrest offenders who commit Internet-facilitated sex crimes against minors and rescue victims of exploitation and sexual abuse of minors. Operation Keiki Shield involved members of numerous law enforcement agencies, including the Hawaii Police Department, Hawaii County District Attorney's Office, Department of Justice, Task Force Internet Crimes Against Children (“ICAC”), Homeland Security Investigations, United States Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Honolulu
Maui Police Department and Police Department.

“Our office is committed to obtaining justice for the victims and protecting our community from those who prey on our keiki,” said Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen. “This verdict is the result of the hard work, dedication and collaboration of HPD, MPD and our prosecutors. I would also like to thank the jury for their time and service.