A Pittsfield man pleaded guilty to charges related to recording himself raping minors on Wednesday — ending his trial in federal court midway through, the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.
Justin Benoit, 39, pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography partway through testimony by the government’s final witness in the case, the U.S. Attorney’s office said in a press release. He has been in custody since his arrest on Feb. 15, 2022.
On at least five occasions between February 2021 and February 2022, Benoit sexually exploited minors to produce child sexual abuse material, the U.S. Attorney’s office said. During searches of his home, investigators found more than 250 such files on his tablet, including approximately 100 that showed him raping minors.
The charge of sexual exploitation of a child provides for a sentence of 15 to 30 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.
Benoit’s sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 20, the U.S. Attorney’s office said. He is also facing related charges out of Central Berkshire District Court.
