Fayette County sheriff's deputy arrested on child porn charges
A Fayette County Sheriff’s Office deputy was arrested Thursday, March 6 following an investigation into allegations of possessing child pornography.
Justin Bennett, 34, of Washington Court House was taken into custody and charged with nine counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor, all fourth-degree felonies.
On Feb. 18, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was alerted by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force of alleged criminal activity taking place at a residence in Fayette County. Further, the information received identified Bennett’s residence as the location of the alleged criminal activity.
Sheriff Vernon Stanforth alerted Fayette County Prosecutor Jess Weade and also requested the assistance of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office to conduct the criminal investigation. Upon learning of the allegations, Bennett was relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave by Sheriff Stanforth during the pendency of the criminal investigation by detectives from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.
Subsequently, a search warrant was obtained by Madison County detectives for the Bennett home where electronic devices were seized for analysis.
On March 6, Sheriff Stanforth and Prosecutor Weade were contacted by Madison County detectives concerning developments in the investigation pertaining to computer forensics conducted on devices seized during the execution of search warrant(s).
It was determined that probable cause was present in the investigation, and warrants for the arrest of Bennett were obtained and executed by the United States Marshal’s Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team.
Bennett has resigned his position with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office effective immediately. The matter remains under investigation by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Fayette County Prosecutor’s Office to determine if additional criminal charges are warranted.
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