STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A former civilian employee with the NYPD is facing 10 years probation after admitting to possessing child pornography.
Robert Benoit, 24, previously listed as a Willowbrook resident, pleaded guilty to the charge in April, court records show.
In exchange for the plea, the defendant was sentenced Sept. 19 by Justice Lisa Grey in state Supreme Court, St. George.
As a condition of the plea, Benoit is forbidden from working around children or frequenting any place where children attend. He also will be listed as a registered sex offender for at least the next 20 years.
Authorities at the time of his arrest said a video of young boys performing sexual acts was discovered on a cell phone during an investigation by the NYPD’s Special Investigations Unit, which led to criminal charges filed in July 2022.
“The defendant did, knowing the content and character thereof, possess on a cell phone [with] at least one video of children under the age of 16 engaged in sexual conduct, including but not limited to boys under the age of 16 engaging in oral sexual conduct,” read a complaint filed by local law enforcement.
Defense attorney Matthew Santamauro said the following on behalf of his client:
“Mr. Benoit has taken complete responsibility for his actions and with the love and support of his family and friends he will continue to address the circumstances which caused the behavior that led to his conviction and sentence.
“Moving forward, I have no doubt that Robert will complete his probation without incident and do all that is necessary to ensure that he will not engage in this type, or any type of criminal behavior ever again.”
Benoit, who at the time of his arrest was a custodial assistant with the NYPD, was suspended without pay and resigned that same year, according to a spokesperson for the department.
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