53-year-old male arrested luring teens on social media platform; investigators believe there may be additional complaints

Edmonton Police Service > Newsroom > Media Releases > 53-year-old male arrested luring teens on social media platform; investigators believe there may be additional complaints

53-year-old male arrested luring teens on social media platform; investigators believe there may be additional complaints

In Mar. of 2023 police began investigating the report of a sexual assault on a young female. Subsequent investigations revealed that Horacio Benitez, 53, befriended three female youth, two 14-year-olds and a 12-year-old, using the social media application Snapchat under the username @used2bc between Dec. 2023 and early Mar. 2024. During that time, he offered to purchase vapes, marijuana and alcohol in exchange for nude images, videos and in person sexual contact.

"We are concerned that other young females may have been potentially lured by Benitez through Snapchat," says Det. Nicole Davie with the EPS' Child Protection Section. "We believe that there may be other victims out there. If you have been in contact with Benitez, we encourage you to come forward and report it to police."

All three youth continue to be supported by the Zebra Child & Youth Advocacy Centre.

Horacio Benitez has been charged with sexual assault (x2), sexual interference (x2), Invitation to sexual touching (x2), luring of a child (x2), luring a child (x2), make child pornography, possess child pornography, making sexually explicit available to a child,obtain sexual service of a child for consideration (x2) and distribute cannabis to youth - person under 18 years (x2). His next court appearance is Tuesday, Apr. 2, 2024.

Horacio Benitez, 53