Martinez man charged with attempted enticement of minors

(BCN) — An 18-year-old Martinez man has been charged in federal court with attempting to entice and coerce a minor into illegal sexual conduct, prosecutors said Friday.

Joel Lawrence Benitzhar was arrested Thursday and made his initial appearance Friday morning in U.S. District Court in Oakland, a press release noted.

According to a criminal complaint, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTip from a social media platform that an account linked to Benitzhar contained possible enticement of at least nine minors.

The complaint alleges Benitzhar told one minor he had traded child pornography and arranged to meet in January 2025, prosecutors said.

Additionally, Bernitzhar also allegedly told another user he had met a 14-year-old girl in person, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Benitzhar is in federal custody and is scheduled for a detention hearing Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Kang.

If convicted, Benitzhar faces up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the FBI at 415-553-7400 or tips.fbi.gov.

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