BOSTON (WHDH) - Northeastern University staffer Beau Christopher Benson, 35, will spend Thanksgiving locked up as he faces allegations that he appeared naked in Zoom chat rooms and performed a lewd act while viewing child pornography.
The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts detailed allegations against Benson on Wednesday. Among allegations, officials said Benson allegedly recorded and saved the Zoom calls to his Dropbox account.
Benson was arrested on Tuesday. Following an initial court appearance, he was back in court for a detention hearing Wednesday.
In a complaint filed with the court, officials said investigators interviewed Benson about the allegations. Officials said Benson told investigators he “had someone living with him briefly and that person had asked if he could transfer files.”
“Benson claimed that he allowed this person to use Benson’s Dropbox account,” the complaint continued. “Benson indicated that Dropbox reported to him that Benson had illegal pornographic content.”
The complaint said “Benson denied having anything to do with child pornography found in his Dropbox account.”
Prosecutors, meanwhile, told a judge they have video of Benson participating, saying he talked sexually in the Zoom calls.
Benson’s defense attorney claimed Benson did not create the child porn and could have been roleplaying. He also revealed Benson has a drug issue.
Benson was an admissions director at Northeastern. In court, it was revealed his most recent role with the college was as director of global enrollment.
Contacted on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Northeastern said Benson had been suspended indefinitely.
Back in court, Benson was shaking and crying Wednesday afternoon, asking to hug his partner who was in the courtroom.
Though the partner later refused to comment on the charges, Benson, himself, spoke to the judge.
“I’m not the person that’s been depicted there,” he said. “I am a good person.”
Facing the question of whether Benson should be released, for the time being, prosecutors said Benson is a danger to society.
His defense attorney, though, said there are conditions where he could be released.
The judge on Wednesday said too much information was revealed in court to make an immediate decision and opted to hold Benson through at least Monday.
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