Massachusetts Resident Sentenced for Traveling Interstate to Engage in Sex with a Minor

PROVIDENCE – David H. Bentz, 46, of Norwell, MA, was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison, having admitted to traveling to Rhode Island in July 2016 with the intent of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a person he believed to be a minor female.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Bentz to serve 10 years supervised release upon completion of his term of incarceration. Bentz pleaded guilty on June 2, 2017, to traveling interstate for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.

The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines range of imprisonment in this matter is 46-57 months. The government recommended the Court impose a sentence of 46 months in prison.

At the time of his guilty plea, Bentz admitted to the Court that 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 then became sexually explicit. On July 6, 2016, Bentz arranged to meet with and engage in sexual activity with the 15-year-old.

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.

Bentz’s sentence 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 was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard B. Myrus.

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