The Hawaii Police Department reports that after investigating reports of a Kailua-Kona man circulating pornographic material involving a minor via social media, Hawai‘i Island police arrested and charged 20-year-old Elgin Marcos on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Marcos was charged with promotion of child abuse in the first degree and violation of privacy in the first degree stemming 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 arrested and charged.
His bail was set at $25,000 and bail was maintained at his initial court appearance on the afternoon of Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Kona District Court.
From the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office:
Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Pepeekeo man, 20 year-old Elgin Marcos was charged in relation to a November 11, 2021 incident involving a minor.
As the Complaint alleges, Marcos is charged with Promoting Child Abuse in the First Degree (produce or participate in the preparation of child pornography) and Violation of Privacy in the First Degree (disclose and/or threaten to disclose an image and/or video of another person in the nude and/or engaging in sexual conduct, without the person’s consent with intent to harm the person’s health, safety, business, calling, career, education, financial condition, reputation, personal relationships, and/or as an act of revenge and/or retribution). Promoting Child Abuse in the First Degree is a class A felony offense and carries a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years in prison. Violation of Privacy in the First Degree is a class C felony offense and carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Marcos made his initial appearance on Thursday in Kona District Court. The Court reduced his bail from $25,000 to $10,000 over Prosecutors’ objections, and ordered Marcos to appear for a preliminary hearing on March 7th at 3 p.m.
The lead investigator was Officer Jeremiah Hull, Area II Juvenile Aid Section, Hawai’i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kate Perazich.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.