Kona man sentenced after found guilty of attempted promotion of child pornography

A Kona man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of attempted promotion of pornography for minors.

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

“Predatory behavior comes in many forms, and people should recognize online conduct as a very real threat,” said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Annaliese Wolf. “Teenagers are especially vulnerable online, as they seek social connections and interactions. Operation Keiki Shield serves as a reminder that people must stay vigilant online, and protect and educate their young loved ones about predatory online conduct.”

During the trial, county prosecutors presented evidence that Smith exchanged text messages and sent pictures of his genitals to an undercover police officer, whom Smith believed to be a 15-year-old girl. Electronic Enticement of a Child in the First Degree is a Class B felony offense which carries a penalty of a ten-year prison term without the possibility of probation and mandates registration as a sex offender.

Attempted Promoting Pornography for Minors is a class C felony offense that carries a maximum penalty of a five-year prison term.

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 had remained out of custody on $15,000 bail for the duration of the proceedings, was then ordered to be taken into custody forthwith to begin serving his sentence.

Operation Keiki Shield is a state-federal-local collaborative initiative focused on identifying and arresting offenders who commit internet-facilitated sex crimes against minors and rescuing victims of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Operation Keiki Shield included members of numerous law enforcement agencies, including the Hawai‘i Police Department, Hawai‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Department of the Attorney General, Internet Crimes Against Children’s (“ICAC”) Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Honolulu
Police Department, and the Maui Police Department.

“Our Office is committed to seeking justice for victims and protecting our community from those who prey upon our keiki,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen. “This verdict was 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.”