An investigation spearheaded by the San Francisco Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, in collaboration with the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, culminated in the arrest of a 56-year-old San Francisco resident on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography. According to the San Francisco Police Department, the accused, Albinus Benus, was apprehended on September 12 after a meticulously coordinated operation.
Benus's capture took place without incident at his residence on the 100 block of Maynard Street, where authorities executed a search warrant and confiscated numerous electronic devices for further examination, during which analysts unearthed a considerable volume of child sexual assault material that, upon initial forensic analysis, revealed various distinct categorizations of such illicit content. These findings led to his subsequent incarceration at the San Francisco County Jail under allegations prompting serious legal consequences that include enhancements due to the nature and quantity of the materials found.
The charges faced by Benus include one count of distributing child pornography under section 311.1(a) of the Penal Code, one count of possessing child pornography under section 311.11(a) PC, and enhancements for possessing over 600 files under section 311.11(c)(1) PC, as well as for possession of child pornography that depicts bondage, cited under section 311.11(c)(2) PC. Despite the arrest, this case remains active and under investigation.
The department urges community members to come forward with any information that might aid in the ongoing inquiry and contact the San Francisco Police Department at 1-415-575-4444 or send an anonymous text tip to TIP411, starting with 'SFPD'.
