OAKLAND — An 18-year-old Martinez man is facing allegations he attempted to entice and coerce a minor to engage in illegal sexual conduct, federal prosecutors said.
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Joel Lawrence Benitzhar was arrested Thursday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. On Friday morning, he made his initial appearance in federal district court in Oakland.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip from a popular social media platform that an account, later determined to be associated with Benitzhar, contained possible enticement and coercion of at least nine potential victims, prosecutors said, citing a criminal complaint and court documents.
The complaint alleges Benitzhar claimed in chat messages with one victim to have “traded CP (child pornography),” had sexual intercourse with the victim and arranged to meet up with the victim in January, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Benitzhar also allegedly told another social media user that he met with a 14-year-old girl in real life.
Benitzhar remains in federal custody and is next scheduled to appear in district court Tuesday for a detention hearing.
If convicted of the charge, Benitzhar faces up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Anyone with information related to the case can contact the FBI at 415-553-7400 or tips.fbi.gov.