ITHACA, N.Y. — In newly available court documents, officials say an accused Ithaca sex abuser bribed his alleged victims into silence with toys and candy.
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Ever Benites, 35, was taken into custody at the Tompkins County Courthouse Tuesday after his bail doubled to $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond following his indictment last week.
Related — Indictment: Ithaca man sexually abused 2 young children
According to court documents, from May 2, 2004 to May 2, 2007, Benites sexually abused a six-year-old girl. The other child, who was 5-years-old at the time of the incident or incidents, was abused from Jan. 20, 1999 to Jan. 20 2001.
The records state that Benites engaged in oral and anal sex with at least one of the victims. He then offered at least one of the victims candy, toys and money for not telling anyone about the incidents.
The brother of one of the victims, the records state, saw his sister being abused and Benites reportedly bribed him into silence with a toy.
During his arraignment at the Tompkins County Courthouse Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Diane Lama said Benites was employed at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center at some point, an effort she said was to ensure he’d be surrounded by children.
Interim Director Leslyn McBean-Clairborne confirmed that Benites was employed as a part-time custodian at the facility.
She said Benites was let go after GIAC officials became aware of the possibility that he would be charged with sex abuse crimes.
“He was let go immediately,” McBean-Clairborne said.
She said parents have not been notified because GIAC officials are not involved with the case and were not aware he’d been formally charged.
Ithaca Police officer Jamie Williamson said police have concluded their investigation and do not believe there were any other victims.
McBean-Clairborne said any parents concerned about the incident can contact her at 301 W. Court St.
He’s charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, course of sexual conduct against a child, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday afternoon.
Benites is still in custody at the Tompkins County Jail as of Wednesday afternoon.
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