January 22, 2012 - Investigators working jointly in the Houston-Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (HMICAC) have arrested a suspect charged in the sexual abuse of a child.

Richard Benjamin, (w/m, DOB: 7/19/75) is charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and three counts of possession of child pornography in the 338th State District Court. A photo of the suspect is not available for relelase.

The HMICAC included corroboration between local law enforcement, the Harris County District Attorney's Office, Harris County Children's Protective Services and the Harris County Children’s Assessment Center in this case that resulted in rescuing a child victim from future sexual abuse. 

HPD Juvenile Division Sergeant R. Hahn reported:

Investigators received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a suspect had posted photos and chatted with a person about his current sexual abuse of a child.  HMICAC then began working the tip and served a warrant on the suspect's residence.  The suspect was found to be in possession of sexually explicit photos of the child he claimed to be abusing and numerous child pornography images were found on his cell phone. 

The suspect then confessed to sexually abusing the child and claimed to be grooming her for future sexual abuse.  The suspect was arrested without incident and subsequently charged. 



JKS/JFC      1-22-13