MA Resident Pleads Guilty to Interstate Travel for the Purpose of Engaging in Illicit Sex with a Minor

PROVIDENCE – David H. Bentz, 46, of Norwell, MA, is scheduled to be sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence on September 8, 2017, having pleaded guilty to traveling interstate for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Bentz pleaded guilty on June 2, 2017, before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith.

According to information presented to the court, on July 2, 2016, Bentz responded to an online posting and began a series of communications with a person he believed to be a 15-year-old female. The conversation quickly became sexually explicit. On July 6, 2016, Bentz arranged to meet with the 15-year-old in Rhode Island to engage in sexual activity. When Bentz arrived at a pre-arranged location in Rhode Island he was arrested by members of the Rhode State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Traveling interstate for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 30 years in federal prison; a fine of up to $250,000; and a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life.

Bentz’s guilty plea is announced by Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations for New England.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard B. Myrus.