Wilmington Predator Gets 18 Years for Child Porn

WILMINGTON, NC – Ricardo Jerome Bennett, Sr., 48, of Wilmington, North Carolina, will spend the next 18 years in federal prison after being convicted of sickening crimes against children. Bennett was sentenced to 216 months’ imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, by United States District Judge James C. Dever III. The sentence comes after a three-day trial concluded on November 28, 2018, finding Bennett guilty on two counts of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography containing minors under the age of 12.

The case began to unfold in August 2014 when the Federal Bureau of Investigation, utilizing undercover software, tracked an IP address actively downloading and sharing child pornography. The digital trail led directly to Bennett’s residence. A subsequent search warrant revealed a trove of depravity – multiple electronic devices belonging to Bennett overflowing with illicit files. Bennett didn’t even bother denying it, providing a full confession to law enforcement.

A forensic examination of the seized devices confirmed the horror. Over 1,000 files depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit activity were discovered. These weren’t just static images; the collection included videos, and crucially, featured children under the age of 12. The evidence directly matched Bennett’s own admission of how he acquired the material, painting a clear picture of his deliberate and calculated actions.

“We are very pleased with the decision of the court to hold the defendant accountable for his abuse of children through the collection of child pornography,” stated United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr. “Every time he downloaded one of the more than 1,000 images he victimized the vulnerable child depicted in those images. His is a crime impacting the most precious and vulnerable among us: our children.”

Beyond the prison sentence, Bennett has been ordered to pay $10,000.00 in restitution. This case was prosecuted under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative dedicated to aggressively pursuing and prosecuting those who exploit children. The program aims to maximize law enforcement resources to bring these predators to justice.

The FBI spearheaded the criminal investigation, with Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Belle Kessler handling the prosecution. Those with information regarding child exploitation are urged to contact their local FBI field office or visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov for resources and reporting options. This isn’t just a case closed; it’s a grim reminder of the darkness lurking online and the relentless effort needed to protect our most vulnerable citizens.

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