Tucker Pleads Not Guilty to Child Porn Charges

The Big Island man indicted earlier this week by a federal grand jury on child pornography charges made an appearance today in federal court.

John Ridgely Tucker of Pahoa pleaded not guilty to six counts of producing child pornography, The Associated Press reported.

US District Court Magistrate Judge Kevin Chang set a trial date of Feb. 12, AP said.

AP said Tucker appeared in court dressed in a white prison jumpsuit with metal shackles around his arms and legs. He wore brown-rimmed glasses and a beard, the news service said.

Tucker was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury on charges of using and enticing two minor children in the production of child pornography.

The 56-year-old Tucker, a former salesman for Willocks Construction whose family managed a bed-and-breakfast operation in the Leilani Estates subdivision in Puna, is being held in the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu without bail.

Tucker is being represented by Hilo attorney Brian De Lima.

According to an FBI spokesman, the charges against Tucker stem from federal statutes.

Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney Charlene Iboshi said while it has not yet occurred, Tucker’s case may be referred to her office for investigation of sexual assault charges under state laws.

“We’ve done that in the past,” she said today. “We have been successful in those sort of investigations.”