Man from Puna admitted guilt for sexually abusing minors and possessing child pornography
Mountain View Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse and Promotion of Child Abuse
Joseph Donald Tibbs, a 44-year-old man from Mountain View in the Puna district, has admitted to multiple charges involving the sexual assault of minors and promotion of child abuse.
The charges against Tibbs include two counts of first-degree promotion of child abuse and four counts of first-degree sexual assault, all class A felonies. Originally facing 15 charges—including incest and use of a computer in the commission of crimes—those additional charges will be dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Tibbs agreed to serve a 40-year prison term as part of this plea deal. The sentence structure involves concurrent and consecutive terms totaling 40 years, and he will be required to register as a sex offender after serving his prison term. Sentencing is scheduled for October 15, 2025.
The investigation into Tibbs' actions began with a months-long collaboration between the Internet Crimes Against Children task force, the Hawai‘i Police Department, Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. Authorities reported that Tibbs had been engaging in sexual conduct with minors for over one year and possessed and disseminated child pornography material electronically.
The investigation determined that Tibbs produced or participated in the making of child pornography with photos or videos of two different children, identified as Persons 1 and 2. Both children were at least 14 but less than 16 and related by blood so closely that marriage between them and Tibbs wouldn't be legally allowed. There appears to be additional victims who haven't yet been identified, and the investigation is continuing.
The Maui Police Department also assisted in recovering and analyzing various electronic devices during the search of Tibbs' residence. Probable charge affidavits and other documents identifying victims have been sealed by court order.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting children from sexual abuse and the promotion of child abuse. If you suspect any child is being abused, please contact your local law enforcement agency or the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
[1] Hawaii Tribune-Herald. (2025, July 22). Mountain View man pleads guilty to child porn charges. Retrieved from https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2025/07/22/mountain-view-man-pleads-guilty-to-child-porn-charges/
[2] Hawaii News Now. (2025, July 22). Mountain View man pleads guilty to child porn charges. Retrieved from https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/07/22/mountain-view-man-pleads-guilty-child-porn-charges/
[3] KITV4. (2025, July 22). Mountain View man pleads guilty to child porn charges. Retrieved from https://www.kitv.com/2025/07/22/mountain-view-man-pleads-guilty-child-porn-charges/
- Despite the ongoing efforts in health-and-wellness and general-news segments, the severe issue of child sexual abuse and the promotion of child abuse continues to persist, as demonstrated by the recent case of a Mountain View man pleading guilty to such crimes.
- A surprising development in the field of science reveals a connection between crimes and justice, as evidenced by the Internet Crimes Against Children task force's investigation into the sexually abusive acts and possession of child pornography by a Mountain View man.
- In the realm of sexual-health, it is disheartening to report that a Mountain View man has been found guilty of heinous crimes against children, demonstrating the need for greater emphasis on protecting the health and well-being of minors from such atrocities.
