BUCYRUS — Joshua A.C. Benedict, 38, of Galion was arraigned on a 130-count indictment in Crawford County Common Pleas Court.
Benedict appeared in court and was represented by Roger Soroka and Joshua Bedtelyon of Soroka and Associates of Columbus, Ohio.
Benedict was facing charges of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor (child porn) from 2018. Those charges we re-indicted and new charges were added.
Crawford County Common Pleas Judge Sean Leuthold read the indictments on the record. The first five counts are the new charges and counts 6-130 are the charges from 2018.
Benedict was charged with two counts of rape, both first-degree felonies. The indictment alleges that Benedict engaged in sexual contact with a victim under the age of 13. In this case the alleged victim is nine years old. Because of the nature of the charges and the age of the victim, Benedict could serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole on each of the rape charges.
The third count of the indictment alleges Benedict is guilty of gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony, punishable with as many as 60 months in prison. It is alleged the gross sexual imposition occurred on the same day with the same victim.
Counts four and five of the indictment charged Benedict with pandering obscenity involving a minor, a second-degree felony, because the defendant allegedly created it. The offenses each are punishable with as many as eight years in prison.
Counts 6-130 are all similar counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor. These are each fourth-degree felonies and each come with a sentence of as many as 18 months in prison for a total of approximately 187-and-a-half years in prison.
When asked how the defendant pleaded to the charges, his attorney Joshua Bedtelyon spoke for him.
“Our client pleads not guilty to each and every charge of the indictment,” Bedtelyon said.
The defense also waived its right to a speedy trial.
Leuthold then ask for arguments on bond. Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler noted the seriousness of the new charges.
“Taking into account the seriousness of rape, the age of the victim and the existence of child porn, the state would ask for a bond of $500,000,” Hoovler said.
The defense simply asked the judge for a reasonable bond for their client.
Leuthold said he reviewed some of the videos in the case.
“I found this material disturbing, violent and degrading,” Leuthold said. “This material included intercourse with children. Bond will be set at $2 million.”
Members of Benedict’s family were present for the bond hearing. They were heard by the judge making comments and facial gestures that disturbed him.
“This is a very emotional matter. I can see your attitudes and hear your noise and snide remarks,” Leuthold said. “If you come back here with that attitude I will have you taken out and charged with contempt. I’m going to be nice and forgiving today but you’d better keep yourselves composed in the future or don’t come back.”