Wheeling Man Facing Child Porn Charges

By FRED CONNORS
WHEELING — A Wheeling man will face a Wood County jury this month to answer several charges related to child pornography that allegedly were committed at a church parsonage.

Steven Richard Benyo Jr., 36, of Route 2, Box 433, Wheeling, is charged with two counts of displaying obscene material to a minor, two counts of use of obscene material with intent to seduce a minor and three counts of sexual assault in the third degree.

Assistant Wood County Prosecutor Sean Francisco said Benyo is a cousin to Jeff Nolte, 41, a former pastor of the Sand Hill United Methodist Church in Williamstown, who is in jail for his involvement in the case.

Francisco said Benyo traveled from Wheeling to Williamstown to assist Nolte with church camp and youth activities. Court documents indicate the offenses occurred during 2001 and 2002 at the church parsonage.

Nolte was sentenced Dec. 21 to three consecutive one-year terms after he pleaded guilty to two counts of contributing to the delinquency and neglect of a minor and one count of battery.

Francisco said one of the contributing counts against Nolte involved serving a minor alcohol and one included showing pornographic material. He said the victim is now married and has a child.

Nolte was indicted on July 26, 2006, during a special grand jury session, but the charges were dismissed because of a technical error. He was re-indicted March 26, when he was charged with three counts each of displaying obscene material to a minor, use of obscene material with intent to seduce a minor, sexual abuse by a custodian and third-degree sexual assault.

In addition to being jailed, Nolte was ordered to register as a sex offender with the West Virginia State Police.

Benyo was indicted in January, but the charges were dismissed on March 7 because of technical error. He was re-indicted March 26.