It’s a stark reminder of the dark underbelly of cybercrime: Ricky E. Bennett, 38, of Bennington, Nebraska, was handed a 120-month sentence on June 14, 2024, for possession of child pornography. The verdict was announced by United States Attorney Susan Lehr in federal court in Omaha.
Bennett’s downfall began with an investigation into child enticement in late summer and early fall of 2021. A search warrant executed on November 3, 2021, led to the seizure of his phone and electronic devices, which were later found to contain a shocking amount of child sexual abuse material.
The Toshiba hard drive alone held 162 images of such material, while a thumb drive contained 183 images, including duplicates. The severity of the charges was matched by the severity of the sentence, with no parole available in the federal system. Bennett will also serve a subsequent 10-year term of supervised release following his prison term.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project leverages federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children online.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation that ultimately saw Bennett behind bars. For those interested in learning more about Project Safe Childhood, information is available at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Bennett has been ordered to pay $10,100 in special assessments as part of his sentence.
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Key Facts
- State: Nebraska
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime|Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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