PIKE COUNTY, Ala (WDHN)— After a lengthy investigation, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 32-year-old Brundidge man and charged him with 36 counts of child sex crimes.

According to Pike County Sheriff Russell Thomas, on Thursday, March 30, David Benton was arrested and charged with 13 charges of sex abuse on a child less than 12 years old, 4 counts of sodomy first degree, 18 counts of production of child pornography, and one count of rape first degree.

Sheriff Thomas says after his office received the initial tip about the crime, which involved a child under the age of twelve, an investigation was started and with the help of the Pike County District Attorney’s Office, authorities were able to find evidence of the crimes on Benton’s phone.

Benton is being held in the Pike County Jail with no bond.

I want to thank the DA James Tarbox for that and working with the judge to secure no bond because this predator no longer needs to live in our society and be a threat to children. We intend to work with the DA’s office to prosecute him.

Russell Thomas, Pike County Sheriff

The case was worked by the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, the Pike County District Attorney’s Office, and The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.