Staff Sgt. Matthew Hartley Benton stationed at M.C.A.S. New River in Jacksonville NC has been charged with possessing child pornography. The pornography was of children ages 3 – 9 years old. The images showed the children performing sex acts on men and included rape of children.
On April 3, 2017, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit assisted Homeland Security Investigations with an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) search warrant at 106 Longhorn Road in Jacksonville. Matthew Hartley Benton, age 35, was suspected of having and distributing child pornography. While this is an ongoing Federal investigation, and additional charges are anticipated, Benton was arrested at the time of the search on State Child Exploitation charges. Benton was taken before the magistrate and charged with:
(2) Counts Second Degree Exploitation of a Minor
(2) Counts Third Degree Exploitation of a Minor
Benton was incarcerated at the Onslow County Detention Center under a $150,000 secured bond, awaiting his first court appearance.
Anyone with information about this incident may contact Onslow County Sheriff’s Office at 910-455-3113, Detective Lawrence at daryl_lawrence@onslowcountync.gov, or Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273. Please refer to case 2017005537 when calling.