A Jefferson County man has pleaded guilty to charges related to the sexual abuse and exploitation of two minors, admitting in federal court that he recorded some of the abuse.
Benjamin F. Sexton Jr., 48, entered a guilty plea on Friday to one count each of production of child pornography, coercion and enticement of a minor, and receipt of child pornography.
The case began in 2023 when the grandfather of one victim discovered explicit communications between his grandchild and Sexton. According to information revealed in court, the victim told investigators that Sexton sexually abused her over several years beginning at age 7 and continuing until she was 14. Sexton admitted as part of his plea that he recorded some instances of this abuse, solicited sexual images from the victim via Snapchat, and provided her with methamphetamine.
A second victim reported to law enforcement that Sexton had sexually abused her multiple times when she was 15 years old. Investigators subsequently found images of this teen in Sexton’s Google account.
Sexton’s sentencing is set for December 2. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson will recommend a sentence of 27 years in prison.
The investigation involved the St. Louis County Special Investigations Unit, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anderson.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to address child sexual exploitation through coordination among federal, state, and local agencies. More details about Project Safe Childhood are available at www.justice.gov/psc.
