Pepeʻekeo Man Charged in Connection With Reports of Child Porn

Big Island police have charged an East Hawai‘i man in connection with an investigation into reports of child porn.

According to a community message from the Hawai‘i Police Department, after investigating reports of a man circulating pornographic material involving a minor via social media, police arrested and charged 20-year-old Elgin Marcos of Pepeʻekeo on Wednesday, March 2.

Marcos is charged with first-degree promotion of child abuse and first-degree violation of privacy. The charges stem from an investigation that was reported in November 2021 involving a female victim older than 14. As a result of the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Marcos and he was subsequently arrested and charged.

According to a news release from the county prosecuting attorney’s office, Marcos was charged in relation to a Nov. 11, 2021, incident involving a minor.

First-degree promoting child abuse is a Class A felony that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted. First-degree violation of privacy is a Class C felony and carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted.  

Marcos made his initial appearance Thursday, March 3, in Kona District Court. According to the prosecutor’s office release, the court reduced his bail from $25,000 to $10,000, despite prosecutors’ objections, and ordered Marcos to appear for a preliminary hearing at 3 p.m. March 7. 

The lead investigator was Officer Jeremiah Hull with the police department’s Area II Juvenile Aid Section. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kate Perazich.