Friday, April 12, 2019

Run away from the carnival? Sounds counter intuitive doesn’t it?


April 12, 2019

Career carnival worker Justin F. Benoit (12-17-78) who lists an address in Spring Hill, used his powers of influence to coerce a 16 year old to run away from the carnival life with him. Benoit created an elaborate plan that he put it into action just prior to Christmas of 2018. He convinced the under aged daughter of another carnival worker to flee from a Palm Beach County carnival location and meet with him in central Florida. From there they traveled to Levy County where they hid for approximately two weeks.

Benoit plied the young lady with alcohol and when she became intoxicated, he took advantage of her. Benoit was ousted by the child’s parent’s persistent efforts to locate their daughter they flooded social media pages Benoit frequented with flyers picturing their missing daughter. Benoit was confronted and fled, leaving the child behind. 

Osceola County Detectives contacted Levy County Detectives when their case identified the location in Levy County where Benoit had been hiding. Levy County Detectives met the child victim who had been reunited with her parents and took her statement. She described being coerced into consuming alcohol to the point of being ill, and engaging in sexual activity with the suspect.

Levy County Detectives obtained a warrant for Benoit’s arrest charging him with three counts of sexual battery on a minor, interference with child custody and contributing to the delinquency with a minor. His bond was set at $250,000.00.

Levy County Detectives learned Benoit had fled to Pasco County and contacted the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division. Their Warrants Detectives located and arrested Benoit. Benoit has since been transferred to Levy County where he will remain in custody until his trial date.