PONTIAC (WWJ) A Clarkston man has been charged with multiple crimes related to child pornography.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald charged Benjamin Weeks, 45, with three counts of Aggravated Child Sexually Abusive Activity and three counts of Use of a Computer to Commit a Crime.
Prosecutors said law enforcement found about 35 hard drives with tens of thousands of images of child pornography on them at the defendant’s home, including some involving bestiality. They also found multiple CDs, DVDS, thumb drives and other devices. Police believe the defendant was trying to create a child pornography server.
“The scale of depravity uncovered in this case is shocking,” Prosecutor McDonald said. “Behind every one of these images and videos is a child who was the victim of unspeakable abuse. I’m committed to aggressively prosecuting child pornography cases so we can protect the next child from becoming a victim.”
Each count of Aggravated Child Sexually Abusive Activity is punishable by up to 25 years in prison and/or a $125,000 fine.
He faces up to 20 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine with a consecutive sentence potentially imposed for the underlying conviction.
He will be arraigned at a later date.