A Baltimore man has been found guilty on multiple charges, including sexual exploitation of a minor, cyberstalking, and possession of child pornography, following a three-day trial that concluded recently. Christopher Kenji Bendann, 40, faces a significant span of prison time for his crimes, with sentencing set for early next year. As reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland, the jury agreed that substantial evidence showed Bendann's involvement in these disturbing activities.
According to official details, from September 2017 to February 2019, Bendann filmed a minor male in sexually explicit situations. The victim, who was 16 and 17 at the time, was repeatedly exploited for child pornography, which Bendann housed on his iCloud account. While in May until December 2022, using electronic messages, Bendann continued to haunt his victim, demanding explicit images and contact — threatening the minor with the release of the provocative content already in his possession if he did not get what he demanded.
On his arrest day, February 3, 2023, law enforcement discovered multiple child pornography files on Bendann's electronic devices. Stating the gravity of these offenses, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Erek L. Barron, confirmed that the defendant is looking at a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a potential maximum of 30 years in federal prison for each sexual exploitation count. Sentencing is slated for January 21, 2025, at which point Judge James K. Bredar will deliver Bendann's fate.
The successful prosecution is the result of a collective effort by the FBI's Baltimore Field Office, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Baltimore County State’s Attorney's Office.
