John Tucker
John Tucker, 56, of Pahoa, appeared in court Thursday on a charge of of producing and another of possessing child pornography. Earlier this week, the FBI released a photo of Tucker, which they said they found circulating on the internet, depicting himself having sex with two children estimated to be 4 and 9 years old. FBI Special Agent Tom Simon, in Honolulu, said they got many calls from the public identifying the man as Tucker.
On Wednesday they executed a search warrant at Tucker’s home, Hale Makamae Bed & Breakfast in Leilani Estates. They found pornographic images on a computer at the bed and breakfast, showing minors engaged In sexually explicit conduct. The complaint says the photos were transported in interstate and foreign commerce, and the equipment used to create the photos were part of interstate and/or foreign commerce, thereby making this a federal crime.
FBI Agents interviewed two children at the residence, a boy, 10, and a girl, 7, who identified themselves as the children in the pornographic photos, which it appeared Tucker had taken holding the camera on his chest and looking down. The children also identified Tucker as the man in the photo.
The FBI arrested Tucker Wednesday night. Tucker has agreed to remain in custody without bail until this case is resolved. A preliminary hearing is set for October 25.
Tucker lives at the Hale Makamae Bed & Breakfast with his wife, Petra Weisenbauer, and their two children. Child Protective Services are now involved to assist with the children.
Weisenbauer has said they moved to Pahoa in 1999. She has been very actively involved in the Puna community, most recently in connection with lobbying for health studies in connection with the Puna Geothermal Ventures plant. She has been supportive of the plant, saying they are good neighbors. Tucker works for Willocks Construction.
