Wisconsin Department Of Justice Agents Partner With FBI  In Internet Crimes Against Children Operation

June 10, 2009

NEILLSVILLE On June 6, 2009, law enforcement officers from the Division of Criminal Investigation met with William J. Bender and his legal counsel at Bender's residence. Bender was read a Miranda warning by a DCI special agent, and agreed to be interviewed by law enforcement. Subsequently, Bender confessed to possessing child pornography and on at least one occasion chatting with a girl who identified herself to be 13 years of age from the State of Florida.

According to the criminal complaint, Bender intended to meet the girl, but denied that the meeting ever actually occurred. However, Bender did say that he traveled to within 200 miles of the location in Florida where the girl was from.

Bender was arrested in the presence of his attorney, and was transported to the Clark County Jail. He was initially charged with 3 counts of Possession of Child Pornography.

Questions concerning this case should be directed towards the Clark County District Attorney's Office.

The preliminary hearing has been scheduled for June 23 at 10 a.m.

A defendant enjoys the presumption of innocence. The prosecution must prove its allegations at trail beyond a reasonable doubt.

A copy of the criminal complaint is available: