LIHU‘E — Two Kaua‘i men were arrested this weekend in an operation aimed at protecting children from online sexual predators.
The operation, known as “Keiki Shield,” was a partnership between the Kaua‘i Police Department, county Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, state Department of the Attorney General, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), and numerous federal and military law-enforcement agencies to arrest offenders who commit internet-facilitated sexual crimes against children and rescue victims of child sexual abuse.
Nicholas Wehrly, 34, of ‘Ele‘ele, was arrested at 11:25 p.m. Saturday and charged with electronic enticement of a child along with four counts of indecent electronic display to a child.
Eric Nakamoto, 39, of Hanama‘ulu, was arrested at 10:47 p.m. the following day, also on a charge of electronic enticement of a child.
Felony information filed against Wehrly alleges that he communicated online with an individual representing themselves as a minor, agreed to meet with them with the intention of committing sexual assault, and showed up at the agreed meeting place. No information has yet been filed on Nakamoto.
Bail has been set at $20,000 each.
“Our office is committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our community, and we will continue to prioritize cases where our children are at risk,” said Kaua‘i Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Vogt Like.
“We are grateful for the diligence and hard work of our state and federal partners. Their professionalism and commitment led to a successful operation.”
Operation Keiki Shield 14 was hosted by the KPD and included officers and agents from the KPD, Department of the Attorney General, ICAC Taskforce, Maui Police Department, Honolulu Police Department, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Homeland Security Investigations Honolulu.
“Speaking as a father and husband, there is nothing more important to me than the safety of our keiki,” said KPD Chief Todd Raybuck. “Mahalo to the Department of the Attorney General, our county, state, federal and military law partners for their aggressive and steadfast mission to seek and arrest child predators through the Keiki Shield operation.”
Since the first iteration of Operation Keiki Shield on Kaua‘i in November 2019, five suspects have been arrested on Kaua‘i.
“The Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General thanks the Kaua‘i Police Department and the other law enforcement agencies taking part in Operation Keiki Shield for their leadership in keeping Kaua‘i’s children safe from these online predators,” said First Deputy Attorney General Valerie Kato. “Our Internet Crimes Against Children Unit will continue to work in concert with Hawai‘i’s police departments and prosecutors to hold these criminals to account for their illicit actions.”
For tips on staying safe for children, teens, and adults, visit https://ag.hawaii.gov/hicac/safety-tips/.
