Another Sheriff's Deputy is Accused of Having Sexual Contact with a Minor

A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested on suspicion he had sexual relations with an underage Sheriff’s explorer.

Anthony Benjamin, 30, of Beaumont, a five-year member of the department, was arrested late Wednesday. He could face charges of oral copulation involving a person under 18 and sex with a foreign object involving a person under 18, officials said.

He was booked into Central Detention Center but was released at 6 this morning after posting $100,000 bail.

He is the second deputy to be accused of having sexual relations with a teenaged member of the Sheriff’s Explorer Program. On April 22, Nathan Gastineau was arrested on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with a minor. Jason Anguiano was also arrested in that case but he is not a deputy and is not employed by the department.

Investigators received an anonymous tip on Wednesday that the deputy, who was stationed at the Victorville office, had become involved with a 17-year-old member of the explorer program. Crimes Against Children Investigators took up the investigation.

Enough evidence was gathered to make the arrest, officials said. He’s been placed on paid administrative leave pending the completion of the investigation.

The investigation is ongoing, officials said. They ask anyone with information on the case to call Detective Bessinger at (909) 387-3615. Anonymous tips may be left on the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-782-7463 or www.wetip.com