Au pair faces up to 10 years in prison for reduced charges in Herndon double murder

HERNDON, VA – A northern Virginia housewife accused of having a fatal affair has accepted a plea deal to a lesser charge.

Juliana Perez Magalaes, 24, pleaded guilty Tuesday to involuntary manslaughter for shooting Joseph Ryan, 39, on Feb. 24, 2023, at the home where she worked as a babysitter. Prosecutors said the shooting was part of a larger plot between Perez Magallias and her employer, Brendan Banfield, 39, to kill Banfield’s wife, Christine. The 37-year-old was allegedly stabbed to death by her husband, who is now charged with her and Ryan’s murder.

Perez Magalhas was initially charged with second-degree murder and firearms charges for shooting and killing Ryan.

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“Today’s agreement marks a significant step forward in this case and is an important milestone in our pursuit of justice for the victims and their families,” Fairfax County District Attorney Steve Descano said Tuesday.

“Much of the information that led to this settlement cannot be released at this time due to the upcoming litigation against the other defendant (Brendan Benfield) in this case.”

Prosecutors said in court on Tuesday that the sexual relationship between Perez Magallias and Banfield began in August 2023. That fall, Benfield allegedly told Perez Magalhas that he wanted to get rid of his wife. Prosecutors said Tuesday that Benfield used a sex-fetish website and “impersonated Joseph Ryan” to lure him to the Herndons’ home on the morning of Feb. 24, 2023.

“Ryan most likely thought he was going home for violent sexual foreplay,” the prosecutor said in court Tuesday.

On the morning of the murders, prosecutors said Perez Magalhas took the couple’s daughter to the zoo. Recently filed court documents state that Perez Magalhas told police that she returned home shortly after realizing she had forgotten their lunches and noticed Ryan’s car in the driveway.

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“When she was unable to reach Christine, she contacted Brendan, who had returned to the residence,” the documents state.

Prosecutors said in court Tuesday that Christine Benfield could not be reached because her phone had been turned off and put in a drawer downstairs by her husband. When he and Perez Magalhas returned home, prosecutors said they found Ryan in Benfield’s bedroom with Christine, after which Ryan was shot in the head and chest. Prosecutors believe Christine Banfield was stabbed in the neck by her husband and died in hospital.

Kush Arora, a criminal defense attorney not involved in the case, said plea deals can be reached at any time during the trial. Arora said that usually means the prosecution has a problem with their evidence, or that the defendant turns out to be less guilty of the crime than first thought.

“But I suspect, particularly based on the commonwealth’s comments after the plea was entered, that there is some cooperation on her part in another co-defendant’s case later this year,” Arora said, referring to that case.

Arora added that Perez Magalhas’ plea deal could make a difference in Benfield’s case, which is currently scheduled for trial in February 2025. While the Fairfax County District Attorney’s Office could not confirm whether Perez Magalhas will cooperate in Benfield’s trial, Arora said anything is possible.

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“The cooperating co-defendants are obviously going to strengthen the Commonwealth’s case, and that could change the other side’s decision as to whether they decide to go to trial or potentially decide to settle their case,” he said. “There’s always a question when the other party cooperates, what is that person getting in exchange for that cooperation. If somebody gets lesser charges, if they don’t get jail time in exchange for testifying, defense attorneys will always use that in the courtroom to demonstrate prejudice of the other party”.

Peres Magalhas faces up to 10 years on the charge of involuntary manslaughter. The sentencing date is set for March 21, 2025. Benfield’s trial is set for February 3, 2025. He faces life in prison on charges of aggravated murder.