A Wareham man, Brandon Bendall, 49, has been indicted on charges related to child pornography. The indictment includes one count of possession and one count of receipt of child pornography. Bendall was initially arrested and charged by criminal complaint on May 2, 2028.
Court documents allege that Bendall was part of an online chat group where members exchanged child sexual abuse material (CSAM). A search conducted at his residence and cell phone reportedly uncovered around 9,400 images and videos depicting CSAM, including disturbing content involving infants.
The charges carry potential sentences ranging from five to twenty years in prison, a minimum of five years to a lifetime of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge following U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Kimberly Milka, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. The investigation received support from the Massachusetts State Police as well as police departments in Wareham, Marion, and East Bridgewater. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin is handling the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to address child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. The program involves collaboration among federal, state, and local resources for prosecuting offenders and rescuing victims.
It is important to note that these allegations are not proof of guilt; Bendall remains innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
