Palmetto State News

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced that a Charleston County man, Michael Bentz, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing child sexual abuse material. Bentz pleaded guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Third Degree on September 6, 2024, before the Honorable Judge Jennifer McCoy in Charleston County.

The case originated on April 4, 2021, when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported that a user of a messaging application had uploaded files containing child sexual abuse material. Subscriber information traced the user to Bentz's residence on Wadmalaw Island in Charleston County. The matter was subsequently referred to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation.

On February 2, 2022, investigators from Charleston County executed a search warrant at Bentz’s home. During the search, Bentz admitted responsibility for the child sexual abuse material. An examination of his electronic devices revealed tens of thousands of additional files containing such material.

Judge McCoy sentenced Bentz to 10 years in prison with credit for time already served. Upon release, he will be required to register as a sex offender and has forfeited his electronics.

Assistant Attorney General Stephan Ryan prosecuted the case on behalf of the state. Investigator Jason Bowen from the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation.