Skip to Main Content

2-26-24 Hilo Man Arrested and Charged for Child Sex Solicitation as Part of Operation Keiki Shield

February 26, 2024 |
Categories: 
Media Releases

Hawai‘i police Department

Area I Juvenile Aid Section
Lieutenant Robert P. Pauole
Phone: (808) 961-2254
Report No.: 24-018504

Media Release

Hawai‘i Island police arrested and charged a 42-year-old Hilo man for child sex solicitation as part of a multi-agency undercover operation designed to identify and arrest individuals using the internet to facilitate sexual crimes against children.

Between Friday, February 23, and Sunday, February 25, 2024, the Hawai‘i Police Department partnered with the County Prosecutor’s Office and the Hawai’i Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which consists of personnel and law enforcement officers from the Honolulu Police Department, Maui Police Department, Department of Attorney General, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Secret Services to conduct Operation Keiki Shield.

Operation Keiki Shield is a statewide, coordinated effort involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies tasked with the investigation and prosecution of internet-facilitated crimes against children. The sting operation took place in Hilo via the internet with investigators posing as underage teens.

During the sting operation, Elijah Joseph Stutes, of Hilo was charged with first-degree electronic enticement of a child and resisting arrest. His bail was set at $53,000. 

In lieu of a preliminary hearing, Stutes was charged on an information charging complaint, and further proceedings will be heard in Circuit Court.  

Unsolved Homicides

Hawaiʻi Police Department believes every victim deserves justice, and that the deceased victim’s family, friends, and community deserve closure.

Please take a moment to review the Unsolved Homicides summaries and if you have any information pertaining to any of these cases, please submit a tip, email us or call our Unsolved Homicides Division at (808) 961-2380 or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. Thank you for your help!

Submit a Tip
Leilani Kim in white sweater set