MOUNT NEBO, WV (LOOTPRESS) – In a series of events spanning from September 2021 to June 2023, Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department Deputy, Jarrod Steven Bennett, found himself at the center of a federal investigation resulting in his indictment on multiple counts related to child exploitation and obstruction of justice.
On September 20, 2021, and February 3, 2023, Bennett was charged with employing, using, persuading, inducing, enticing, and coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct.
These explicit depictions were transmitted using various means and facilities of interstate and foreign commerce, including computers and electronic devices.
Subsequently, on March 5, 2023, and March 10, 2023, Bennett faced charges of knowingly distributing and attempting to distribute child pornography. This material had been shipped and transported through interstate and foreign commerce via cell phones and computers.
Bennett’s criminal activities extended to possession of child pornography on January 31, 2023, and June 5, 2023. In both instances, he possessed graphic image files containing images of child pornography involving prepubescent minors, which had been transported in interstate and foreign commerce, including via computers.
On June 2, 2023, he knowingly altered, destroyed, concealed, and covered up electronic information contained on his iPhone with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence an investigation conducted by Homeland Security.
Similarly, on June 6, 2023, while near Summersville, West Virginia, Bennett altered, destroyed, and concealed electronic information contained on his Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department laptop.
On June 13, 2023, in another incident near Summersville, Bennett again knowingly altered, destroyed, concealed, covered up, and falsified electronic information contained on his Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department laptop with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations.
Jarrod Steven Bennett will be required to forfeit various assets, including any visual depictions, books, magazines, periodicals, films, videotapes, and other materials containing explicit content produced or used in connection with his crimes.
Additionally, any real and personal property traceable to the profits or proceeds obtained from these violations, as well as any property used or intended to be used in the commission or promotion of these offenses, will be seized.
Bennett is currently at South Central Regional Jail. He is being held without bond.
