A Saugerties man is facing multiple charges, including sexual abuse, weapons possession, and drug offenses, following his arrest by New York State police on July 30.
James M. Benson, 42, was taken into custody after an investigation revealed he had allegedly engaged in sexual contact with a 17-year-old through forcible compulsion and had provided the minor with alcohol. The investigation began two days earlier, on July 28, after police received information about the alleged misconduct.
A search of Benson’s residence led to the discovery of illegal firearms and controlled substances. He was charged with sexual abuse in the first degree involving forcible compulsion, unlawful dealing with a child for supplying alcohol, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon—including one charge based on a prior conviction—and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Benson was arraigned in the Ulster County Court Centralized Arraignment Part and was remanded to the Ulster County Jail.
State Police are urging anyone with information or who believes they may have been victimized by Benson to contact their Middletown office at (845) 344-5300, referencing case number NY2500672941.
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