Benjamin Sexton, 46, of the Jefferson County portion of Fenton has been charged with 15 felonies for allegedly sexually assaulting a girl over a seven-year period, and authorities believe he may have molested others, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Sexton on Thursday, Dec. 14, with seven counts of first-degree rape or attempted statutory rape of a person younger than 14 years old; five counts of statutory sodomy or attempted statutory sodomy deviant sexual intercourse with a person younger than 14 years old; and one count of first-degree statutory sodomy with deviant sexual intercourse with a person younger than 14 years old, all unclassified felonies; as well as one count of first-degree child molestation, a class B felony; and one count of second-degree statutory rape, a class D felony, court records show.
Each of the unclassified felonies is punishable by five years to life in prison. The class B felony is punishable by five to 15 years in prison, and the class D felony carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison.
According to the probable-cause statement in the case, the abuse began in 2016 and occurred at hotels in St. Louis County and Eureka, other locations in Fenton and the Jefferson County portion of Fenton, as well as in other parts of Jefferson County, St. Louis County and Franklin County, the report said.
Sexton allegedly filmed the sexual assaults and showed the girl pornographic videos. The girl also said Sexton coerced her into sending nude photos of herself to him through Snap Chat, according to the report.
The girl said Sexton often gave her drugs, and a hair follicle from the girl was tested and came back positive for methamphetamine, the report said.
Sexton allegedly used meth in the past, the probable-cause statement said.
The girl said she allegedly saw Sexton sexually abuse one other child.
In 2015, Sexton was accused of sexually assault by another child, according to the report.
The Sheriff’s Office asks anyone who was abused by Sexton to call 636-797-5515. Victims also may contact Patti Short, victim services coordinator, by calling 636-797-5017 or emailing her at pshort@jeffcomo.org to coordinate resources.
Sheriff Dave Marshak said in the written statement that the alleged sexual abuse was reported to deputies on Nov. 25. He said Sexton was arrested Dec. 14 when detectives, SWAT members, crime scene investigators, internet crimes against children task force members and an electronics-sniffing canine executed a search warrant.
Sexton was being held today, Dec. 16, in the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro without bail.
“These allegations are heinous,” Marshak said. “I’m proud of the teamwork and unwavering commitment everyone has put in thus far. There were no complaints about long hours or overtime, and that speaks volumes about their commitment to justice and service. Investigators continue to work on this case.”