SACRAMENTO, CA - High tech crime investigators want to find a Sacramento County suspected pedophile they fear was arranging to obtain a child from Brazil for sexual purposes, say authorities.
Sacramento County sheriff's Sgt. Tim Curran, spokesman for the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force, said detectives have been investigating Benjamin Dee Kendrick since March 31 when he surfaced in a probe into online child pornography sharing.
Curran said Kendrick, 39, is wanted for solicitation to commit a felony and the possession of obscene matter depicting sexual conduct of a person under age 18.
Detectives have a $1 million arrest warrant for Kendrick.
Det. Eric Pahlberg said they have gathered information that Kendrick has had a long-term online relationship with a woman in Brazil in which they discuss bringing her daughter from Brazil to him for sex. The chats started when the girl was about 2 years old and she would be several years older now.
"The chat was mostly about bringing the child from Brazil to Mr. Kendrick to have sex and a lot of chat had to do with murdering that child afterwards," said Pahlberg. "And the chat was very graphic. In the chat they also talked about themselves as being pedophiles. They specifically called themselves pedophiles."
Kendrick was the Web designer for the National Safe Child Coalition website, according to investigators.
"In the chat he talked about using his access to the website in order to hear stories of how children were abused and actually have children show him how they were abused," Pahlberg said
A search warrant served at Kendrick's Sacramento County home April 20 turned up information turned up more than 100 child pornography videos and images on his computer, Curran said.
Kendrick left his job and his rental home the day after the search, according to investigators.
Kendrick was described as white, 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighing 160 pounds. He has blond hair and green eyes.
Anyone who has information on where Kendrick is was urged to call the task force at (916) 874-3002, or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP; or send a text message tip by texting to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Curran also said detectives know the names of possible suspects in Brazil and were working with U.S. and Brazilian authorities to investigate those suspects.
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