2 get probation
for online offense

Investigators caught the men
arranging sex with underage girls

Two men were sentenced to probation yesterday for arranging over the Internet to have sex with minors.

Circuit Judge Michael Wilson ordered Anthony Romero to serve five years of probation and 30 days in jail, with credit for time served.

Romero, who was arrested last September, subsequently pleaded guilty to first-degree electronic enticement of a child and possession of child pornography found on his computer.

Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario rejected Steven Koba's request to defer his no-contest plea to first-degree electronic enticement of a child and ordered him to serve five years of probation.

He also ordered Koba to perform 300 hours of community service.

Deputy Attorney General Trish Morikawa had asked that both men be sentenced to 10 years in prison because of the seriousness of the offenses. The men had chatted online and made arrangements to meet the girls for sex and showed up at the pre-arranged location when they were arrested. The girls were actually adult investigators posing as minors.

Koba expressed remorse for the pain he has caused to his family and asked the court for a chance to continue with his treatment and be with his family who supports him.