A former police officer from Beaver County is facing felony charges following an investigation by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.

Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that Peter J. Benedict Jr., 68, who retired from law enforcement in 2023, has been charged with 11 felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and one count of criminal use of a communication facility. The charges stem from material found at his home during a search conducted earlier this week.

Benedict previously served as a police officer in Beaver County and worked as a school resource officer from 2022 to 2023. He retired later that year. Authorities noted that the conduct in question did not occur during his time in law enforcement.

“This is unacceptable, lewd, criminal behavior for any member of society, let alone someone who took a sworn oath to protect his community as a law enforcement officer,” said Attorney General Sunday.

Agents executed a search warrant at Benedict’s residence on July 22 and seized electronic devices as part of the investigation, which remains ongoing.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s office at 800-385-1044.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Alison Bragle. All charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.