By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
EL RENO – A female detention officer faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of having sex with a male inmate at the Canadian County Jail.
Yukon’s Raven Beryle Benson, 36, was charged May 4 in Canadian County District Court with second-degree rape – a felony crime punishable by one to 15 years in state prison.
She also was charged with bringing contraband into the jail, 304 N Evans. That crime carries a penalty of up to one year in prison and/or a maximum $500 fine.
Assistant District Attorney Austin T. Murrey alleges that Benson engaged in sexual intercourse with someone “in the legal custody of the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office” while she was a detention officer “with direct authority over the victim.”
The illegal acts reportedly occurred between Dec. 1, 2021 and Feb. 28, 2022, prosecutors claim in court documents.
Further, Benson allegedly brought into the Canadian County Jail “an item of contraband, specifically tobacco, without authority to do so.”
SHE’S BEEN TERMINATED
Benson has been fired after an internal investigation by the sheriff’s office, Canadian County Sheriff Chris West confirmed.
“I let her go April 7,” West said.
Sheriff’s investigators presented results of their investigation to the Canadian County District Attorney’s Office, which formally charged Benson with violating state law.
The defendant had been a detention officer at the Canadian County Jail since June 1, 2019, until her firing.
After charges were filed, Canadian County District Judge Paul Hesse issued a warrant for Benson’s arrest. The warrant was served May 5 and she was released from custody after posting bonds totaling $42,000.
A preliminary hearing conference is set Monday, June 20 before Special Judge Khristan K. Strubhar. Benson’s attorney is Matthew R. Adams of Oklahoma City.
