Photo by Michael Woodward
District Attorney Jerry Benito announces several charges of sexual assault against Anderson Police Officer Bryan Benson.
Photo courtesy of Shasta County Jail
Bryan Robert Benson
Anderson Police Officer Bryan Robert Benson, 25, was arrested at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 8, on felony charges stemming from accusations of rape raised Saturday, May 29, by a woman who Benson was transporting to the Shasta County Jail for booking.
Redding Police Investigators made the arrest at Anderson Police Department following their investigation of the woman's charges. State law protects the identities of sexual assault victims, prompting authorities to keep the victim's name confidential.
During a 1:30 p.m. press conference held Tuesday, June 8, in Redding, Shasta County District Attorney Jerry Benito announced that six felony charges would be filed against Benson including forcible rape, rape by threat of authority, sexual battery by restraint, kidnapping, bribery and assault by a public officer. Benito noted that some of the charges are “alternate ways of describing the same conduct.”
Rape was charged since intercourse while a victim is under arrest cannot be considered consensual, Benito explained, noting that running away could be construed as resisting arrest.
Benito also went into some detail regarding circumstances of the alleged sexual assault contained in a written report issued at the press conference.
Benito noted that Redding Police recovered semen from one of the tires the APD undercover vehicle that Benson allegedly drove that night, and while the DNA has yet to be analyzed as coming from Benson, Benito said the amount of supporting evidence was compelling enough for him to press charges and proceed with Benson's arrest.
Following the woman's initial arrest During the Memorial Day weekend in Anderson on a misdemeanor charge by Officer Matt Goodwin, the report states that Benson, a back-up officer, offered to transport the woman to jail. On duty and in full uniform but driving an unmarked police car, Benson took the victim to the Anderson Police Department before heading to the jail via Highway 273.
While originally handcuffed behind her back by Officer Goodwin, the victim said Benson released her and allowed her to sit in the vehicle's front seat.
While heading toward the jail, the report states, Benson “began talking sexually to her and eventually attempted to have her perform sexual acts while she was seated in the vehicle. The victim says she declined to participate.”
The report then states that Benson drove her down a side-street and stopped the vehicle behind a building in Redding. The victim said Benson picked up the police radio microphone and spoke through it. The victim asked Benson what he said and he said that he reported that they were at the jail, the report states.
The victim alleged Benson then sexually assaulted her outside the vehicle near the rear passenger side. The victim alleged Benson grabbed her left thigh and right arm and that intercourse lasted about 20 seconds before Benson ejaculated by the vehicle's rear tire.
Still unhandcuffed and back inside the vehicle, the victim -- still in the front seat -- sent a text message to her sister that she had just been “raped by a cop.”
At the jail, the victim contacted jail staff and spoke with Sgt. Carl Champagne. Champagne noticed a ten-minute difference between the time Benson radioed dispatch regarding his arrival at the jail and Benson’s actual time of arrival.
Investigators confirmed they found semen on the vehicle’s rear tire and on the ground where the woman alleged the sexual assault took place. Investigators also found bruising on the woman’s left thigh and upper right arm consistent with the woman's story. They also found evidence of the text message sent during the time of transport to the jail.
On June 3, Officer Goodwin told investigators that Benson met with Goodwin following the victim’s booking, and Benson told him he had sex with the victim on the way to the jail, the report states.
Redding Police Chief Peter Hanson said investigators did not know whether the victim and Benson were acquainted before the incident.
Benson was held in Shasta County Jail in lieu of a $500,000 bond as of the June 9 press conference. If convicted of the felony charges, Benson could face 11 years in prison.
Anderson Police Chief Dale Webb and Anderson City Manager Dana Shigley attended the press conference but were unavailable for comment.
Benson was scheduled for arraignment late Tuesday, June 8.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 12
BigJohnStud writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
luvmytude writes:
ohhhh looks like I guessed correctly...I found it interesting that Officer Goodwin didn't say anything until he was asked specifically about the sexual incident...figured it was a kind of "Bro Code" where he knew that Benson had done this kind of crap before & looked the other way..I questioned the morals of someone who would fail to mention something like this right away,since an investigation was started immediately into the alleged sexual assault..makes you warm & fuzzy knowing these kinds of people are supposed to be protecting us and they are the worst kind of offenders...
cmhc1234 writes:
Officer Goodwin is not a "Sarg" just an officer. I know for a fact that Officer Goodwin does not party this way. Goodwin has done so many amazing things for APD, it is a shame that Benson is dragging Goodwin's name through the gutter. I remember when Goodwin was officer of the year for saving someones life, or how he is known for making many DUI arrests to keep people like you safe. It is amazing how all of his good deeds are forgotten. You should check your facts before accusing an innocent person of such a crime. Better recheck your video. Why dont you go ahead and post your information so Goodwin can sue you for slander. By the way Record Searchlight will and is required to release your information if Goodwin decides to pursue this.
cmhc1234 writes:
Its says that he told investigators on June 3rd. It does not tell us when he told his agency about the incident. I heard through the grapevine that he told APD prior to June 3rd.
luvmytude writes:
cmhc 1234...in an earlier post on Redding.com the report reads as follows:"but Goodwin didn’t report it until investigators asked him about it on June 3 – five days after the reported rape." This quote was taken from Benito's press conference...so it most certainly raises many questions and why they are investigating "internal procedures" according to Captain Kirvin. I found it interesting also that since he was the original arresting officer that he wouldn't have followed through with the arrest himself, as is usual, and that yet another Anderson detective that was on the scene had offered to take the woman to the jail originally, and Benson insisted that he would do it..the whole thing is suspicious, just doesn't add up, which is why it's being investigated...
BigJohnStud writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
ChimpAttackVictim writes:
this man needs to be locked up for a long time! here is his mugshot you can see the sick smile on his face this guy is bad news... http://media.photobucket.com/image/ba...
BuddyFunkwa writes:
http://www.andersonvalleypost.com/pho... + http://www.andersonvalleypost.com/pho... + http://www.andersonvalleypost.com/pho... + http://www.andersonvalleypost.com/pho... =
O.M.G
anotherjeff writes:
I urge ANYONE who has EVER had contact with these officers, or, ANY negative experience with APD, or, ANYONE who had a Breathalyzer performed at APD at ANY TIME by ANY agency, to immediately contact your trial attorney or a lawyer of your choice. You may have legal recourse!
ChimpAttackVictim writes:
stfu :o
suku writes:
TO THE YOUNG WOMAN WHO WAS (ALLEGEDLY) SEXUALLY ASSAULTED, PLEASE HAVE YOUR LEGAL COUNSEL LOOK INTO THIS.
I have to watch what I say or the paper will pull my comment. I don't want that. Information is necessary to make good decisions. We need good decisions. I will give you the information I (allegedly) have and let you decide.
Law enforcement are trying to say that what the officer (allegedly) did to MY friend, assault, is perfectly normal and not a criminal offense. However, I think that if an officer (allegedly) has a woman with her hands cuffed behind her back, he shouldn't be (allegedly) slamming her face into the side of the patrol car a few times if she (allegedly) is not resisting before (allegedly) throwing her head first into the car and have her (allegedly) half in and half out of the car to the extent that he (allegedly) had to go to the other side to pull her upright and fully into the car. I think that any 10-year old child watching that (alleged) assault would be tramatized as we teach them to TRUST law enforcement and if they see one (allegedly) abusing their parent, that trust is broken but especially when there was NO REASON for it other than (allegedly) an overheard conversation where an officer confesses to a co-worker that he's "had a bad day."
My friend's (alleged) assault occurred on May 21. Now if she (allegedly) told jail personnel, such as, the booking agent, another officer bringing someone in to be booked, the medical professional who checked her as she arrived, the medical professional who checked her as she left as well as another inmate, you would think someone would have taken that complaint seriously. Instead, she was (allegedly) told by a medical professional in that jail that if she thought she was injured, she needed to check herself into the hospital. Now, if I were let out at 3am, I would also accept a ride from the fellow in-custody person who had funds for a taxi back to Anderson. I would chose to go home to my daughter. Why would I tell more people who aren't listening?
If someone had listened to these 'allegations', and even if ALL they did was slap the officer's hand, so to speak, at least that would let him know that he won't be getting away with that nor any other offenses against the citizens he is sworn to protect. We are watching.
But we weren't.
Eight days between May 21 and May 29.
Eight days between an alleged assault and an alleged rape.
Could a rape have been prevented?
citizenactivist writes:
Citizen Activist Writes:
Of course this is the answer to citizens fears and their need to throw more and more money that no longer exist at the problem.
... See More
Yvonne Oulman, Anderson writes:
"Honest Residents Need To Step Up"
"We have a gang problem and crime is rising in Shasta County. We can and should help Sheriff Tom Bosenko as his eyes and ears as guardians in our communities to report suspicious activity.
Community service is a public duty and we should all be on board fighting crime, keeping our own neighborhoods safe from gang violence and crime that comes with the influx of transplanted and homegrown criminals."
Citizen Activist writes:
And I would add..It's Time For Some Others
TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE
Sheriff Tom Bosenko and Chief Webb and whoever takes over as the new chief of Redding PD.
It's about time you fellows stop "practicing the law", and start
living and walking again in the truth, justice, light and rigorousness you are preaching.
When the young citizens of Shasta County hear about or watch you and yours get away with murder and pervert the system to protect and serve your own little private JUST-US dynasty, you sure in heck cannot expect them to have the respect for the jobs you do for Shasta County and our cities, the lives and property of our citizens or even themselves.
Even your own officers now have stooped to this lower level of injustice.
Who is responsible for their transgressions and victims if not you three?
Get it right, or please..take your
inflated egos and retirements now
and move on down the road.
Just wondering out loud here...
Which of you three will step up and admit it's now time for The Shasta County Justice to begin serving the Citizens of Shasta County first?
Who, of you three, have the guts to buck the system and join with us in supporting internet based cameras in all LE vehicles for the protection of all future officers and citizens?
I promise the money will not come out of your budgets if just one of you will agree to be first and you'll agree to it.
Surely one of you has the integrity to do the right thing.
a few seconds ago ·
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