Investigators continue to seek additional complainants
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Child Protection Section detectives have laid additional charges against a 53-year-old male after an additional luring victim came forward to police.
In March of 2024 police began investigating the report of a sexual assault on a young female. Subsequent investigations revealed that Horacio Benitez, 53, befriended three female youths, two 14-year-olds and a 12-year-old, using the social media application Snapchat under the username @used2bc between December 2023 and early March 2024. During that time, he offered to purchase vapes, marijuana and alcohol in exchange for nude images, videos and in person sexual contact.
On Mar. 27, 2024, Benitez was arrested and charged with numerous offences, including two counts each of sexual assault, sexual interference, Invitation to sexual touching and luring of a child.
Since that time, a 15-year-old girl, who was 12 years old at the time of the offence, has come forward to police.
“An additional youth has bravely come forward, and we are actively working to connect her with resources that we hope will support her healing,” says Det. Helena McNalley with the EPS’ Child Protection Section. “We continue to believe that there are additional complainants out there and want to assure them that what happened is not their fault and they are not alone. We are here to help and encourage them to reach out to us.”
All of the youth involved continue to be supported by the Zebra Child & Youth Advocacy Centre.
Horacio Benitez has additionally been charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, sexual counsel of child, distribute cannabis to a youth, luring a child under 16 years and obtaining sex services of a child for consideration. His next court appearance is Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
Anyone who believes they have been victimized by the accused is asked to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.
