Grand jury indicts St. Louis County man accused of producing child pornography

ST. LOUIS, MO –A federal grand jury indicted Mark A. Bennett on one count of sexual exploitation of a child. The 47-year old is a resident of Ferguson, Missouri.

The investigation revealed Bennett to be in possession of more than 750 videos and images of child pornography involving children who appeared to be under the age of 12 years. Further, the investigation revealed that Bennett sexually abused a child who was under the age of twelve years, and produced child pornography by photographing his abuse of that child.

During the years that Bennett sexually abused the minor victim, Bennett was employed as a school security officer by the Ferguson-Florissant School District. Bennett was not a member of law enforcement nor employed by any police department.

Bennett faces a minimum punishment of 15 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the St. Louis County Police Department Special Investigations Unit investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson is handling the case.

Law enforcement is requesting community assistance in identifying further victims.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the St. Louis County Special Investigations Unit at 314-615-8618.