KAILUA-KONA —A Captain Cook man has pleaded not guilty to charges of child pornography and child abuse in 3rd Circuit Court.
A bench warrant was issued on May 16 for the arrest of 41-year-old Rudolph Puni Kaeo after a Kona grand jury indicted him on charges the previous day.
According to the indictment, during the time frame of on or about March 1, 2016, through Jan. 30, 2017, Kaeo asked and encouraged a minor to agree to send sexually explicit photos, i.e. child pornography from her to him via text message.
According to the indictment, Kaeo was found in possession of child pornography.
The 41-year-old was charged with promoting third-degree child abuse, promoting minor-produced sexual images in the first degree and conspiracy to commit promoting child abuse in the third degree.
Kaeo was taken into custody last week and appeared in court on Thursday. Third Circuit Court Judge Robert D.S. Kim maintained bail at $20,000.
Kaeo entered a not guilty plea and a jury trial has been scheduled for Oct. 16.