Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Wareham resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to child sexual abuse material. Brandon Bendall, 50, admitted to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun. Sentencing is set for May 7, 2026.
Bendall was arrested on May 2, 2025, following a criminal complaint and was later indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2025. According to court documents, he participated in an online chat group where members shared child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Authorities said Bendall posted at least 17 videos containing CSAM within the group.
A search of his home and cell phone uncovered approximately 9,400 images and videos depicting CSAM, including content involving infants being sexually assaulted.
Each charge—receipt and possession of child pornography—carries a potential sentence ranging from five to twenty years in prison, supervised release for at least five years up to life, and a fine up to $250,000. Sentences are determined by a federal judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
"United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Wareham, Marion and East Bridgewater Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case."
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 that coordinates efforts among federal, state, and local agencies to combat child exploitation crimes and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
