2 Men Sentenced in Child Sex Trafficking Scheme in Lower Bucks Co.

A Levittown man and a New Jersey man were sentenced for their roles in a child sex trafficking scheme involving social media apps.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Jonathan Michael Mitchell, 39, of Levittown, was sentenced to 18-48 months in prison for child pornography and criminal use of a communication facility. Jereme Benyola, 53, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, was sentenced to 7-15 years in prison followed by 25 years of probation and sex offender supervision for charges including criminal attempt-involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child and child pornography. The investigation began when a social worker reported Benyola mentioning children on an illicit dating app and child sex trafficking.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing threat of child sex trafficking and the use of social media and dating apps to facilitate these crimes. It also demonstrates the importance of vigilant reporting by social workers and the collaborative efforts of law enforcement across jurisdictions to investigate and prosecute these serious offenses.

The details

The investigation began on July 2, 2024, when a social worker from Capital Health in Trenton, N.J., reported contact with Jereme Benyola, who mentioned children on an illicit dating app, child sex trafficking, and child sexual abuse material. Benyola indicated the children were located at a Middletown Township-Levittown apartment complex. Detectives executed search warrants and found child sexual abuse material videos sent from Mitchell to Benyola. The investigation revealed Benyola offered money to meet the children and traveled to Levittown for this purpose, with the conversation transitioning from an illicit dating app to the Telegram app.

  • On July 2, 2024, a social worker reported contact with Jereme Benyola.
  • On July 22, 2024, a search warrant was executed at Mitchell's apartment.
  • On October 24, 2024, Mitchell pleaded guilty to child pornography and criminal use of a communication facility.
  • On November 17, 2025, Benyola entered a nolo contendere plea to several charges.
  • On February 19, 2026, Benyola was sentenced to 7-15 years in prison followed by 25 years of probation and sex offender supervision.

The players

Jonathan Michael Mitchell

A 39-year-old Levittown man who was sentenced to 18-48 months in prison for child pornography and criminal use of a communication facility.

Jereme Benyola

A 53-year-old Sicklerville, New Jersey man who was sentenced to 7-15 years in prison followed by 25 years of probation and sex offender supervision for charges including criminal attempt-involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child and child pornography.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing threat of child sex trafficking and the use of social media and dating apps to facilitate these crimes. It demonstrates the importance of vigilant reporting by social workers and the collaborative efforts of law enforcement across jurisdictions to investigate and prosecute these serious offenses.