Zachary A. C. Benoit, 28, of Canaan, New Hampshire, is headed to federal prison for 156 months after being convicted of transporting and possessing child pornography. The sentence, handed down in Concord, marks the end of a years-long investigation into Benoit’s extensive role in sharing and hoarding thousands of illegal images depicting child sexual abuse.
According to court records, the Grafton County Sheriff’s Department launched an online probe in the summer of 2017 targeting individuals trading child pornography. Benoit surfaced when investigators intercepted multiple files of child sexual abuse uploaded directly by him. Authorities quickly moved in, seizing several of his electronic devices.
Forensic analysis revealed a horrifying trove: thousands of images and videos showing the sexual assault of children, including infants and toddlers. The graphic content, distributed and stored by Benoit, triggered federal charges under child exploitation laws. He pleaded guilty on November 7, 2018, admitting to the transportation and possession of the illicit material.
U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray made no apologies for the severity of the sentence. “It is critical that we safeguard children from being exploited on the internet,” Murray said. “We will continue to allocate substantial resources to stopping the distribution of these terrible images in New Hampshire.”
Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, called the sentence “very appropriate” given the disturbing nature of the case. He credited the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and multiple local agencies for their relentless coordination in securing the conviction.
The investigation was a joint effort by the Grafton County Sheriff’s Department, Lebanon Police Department, Nashua Police Department, ICAC Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen W. Fitzgibbon prosecuted the case. The Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood, launched in 2006, continues to lead nationwide efforts to combat online child exploitation. More information is available at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Related Federal Cases
- Portsmouth Man Gets 9 Years for Child Porn Distribution · New Hampshire
- Utah Man Gets 30 Months for Child Porn · Utah
- Derry Man Gets 35 Years for Child Porn Production · New Hampshire
- Manchester Woman Gets 25 Years For Child Porn · Minnesota
- Billerica Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Possessing 5,000+ Child Porn Files · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: New Hampshire
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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