Man accused of child luring faces additional charges
City police have laid additional charges against a 53-year-old man after another luring victim came forward to police.
In March, the Edmonton Police Service's child protections unit started investigating a report of a sexual assault on a young female. After a lengthy investigation, it was revealed that a man befriended three female youths, two 14-yearolds and a 12-year-old using the Snapchat app under the username @used2bc between December, 2023 and early March, police said in a news release Friday.
During the conversations on Snapchat, it was revealed he offered to purchase vapes, alcohol and marijuana in exchange for nude images, videos and in-person sexual contact.
On March 27, Horacio Benitez, 53, was arrested and charged with two counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual interference, two counts of invitation to sexual touching and two counts of luring a child.
Since then, a 15-year-old girl, who was 12 years old at the time of the offence, has come forward to authorities.
“An additional youth has bravely come forward, and we are actively working to connect her with resources that we hope will support her healing,” said Det. Helena McNalley with the EPS' child protection section in a release. “We continue to believe that there are additional complainants out there.”
Benitez has additionally been charged with sexual assault, sexual counsel of a child, sexual interference, distribute cannabis to a youth, luring a child under 16 years and obtaining sex services of a child for consideration.
His next court date is May 1. Police urge anyone who believes they have been similarly victimized to call EPS at 780-423-4567.