23-05-2025
Pittsfield man pleads guilty mid-trial to child exploitation and pornography charges
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A Pittsfield man pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to multiple child exploitation offenses during the testimony of the government's final witness.
Justin Benoit, 39, entered guilty pleas to five counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography.
Benoit was arrested on Feb. 15, 2022, and has remained in custody since. According to court documents, he also faces related state charges in Central Berkshire District Court.
Federal prosecutors said that between February 2021 and February 2022, Benoit sexually exploited minor victims known to him, producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). A search of his home uncovered more than 250 CSAM files on his tablet, including roughly 100 files documenting the rape of the victims.
The charge of sexual exploitation of a child carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, along with a potential lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The possession charge allows for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000.
Benoit has a scheduled sentencing for Aug. 20, 2025.
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