Former Sheriff's Deputy Arrested For Rape

Former Lewis County Sheriff's deputy arrested for rape charge
THE HERALD-WHIG STAFF - December 31, 2010

MONTICELLO, Mo. -- A former Lewis County sheriff's deputy was arrested Wednesday on a felony rape charge allegedly involving a 15-year-old girl. LaBelle resident John R. Benn, 26, was arrested in Shelby County and posted a $20,000 bond after his initial court appearance. His next court date is Jan. 3. The case is being investigated by the Missouri Attorney General's office. Lewis County Sheriff David Parrish said the alleged crime, consensual sexual intercourse, took place in Benn's LaBelle residence in July 2009. "Based on the seriousness of the allegations involved, and out of fairness to both the victim and alleged suspect, the matter was turned over to an outside agency in the hopes that all parties would feel a fair investigation was completed," Parrish said in a press release. Benn was a deputy for two years and resigned in July 2009. Parrish said he could not comment about the case because it involved personnel matters. After an initial investigation by Parrish's office, the matter was turned over to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, then referred to the Attorney General's office.