Deputy Formally Charged in Sex With Minor Case

Charges have been filed against a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy accused of having sex with an under-aged member of the sheriff’s explorer program.

Anthony J. Benjamin, 30, of Beaumont, faces two counts of oral copulation of a person under 18. He is scheduled to be arraigned July 6.

He was taken into custody May 4 after sheriff’s officials were told of the affair.

Authorities said Benjamin, who worked out of the Victorville office, had a sexual relationship with the minor from July 1, 2010, when she was 17, through Dec. 18 shortly before turned 18.

Investigators say they received an anonymous tip that the deputy was involved with a 17-year-old member of the Sheriff’s Explorer Program. Crimes Against Children Investigators checked into the matter and gathered enough evidence to make the arrest.

San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops held a press conference May 5 to announce Benjamin’s arrest. At the conference, Hoops expressed alarm over the incident given that a Highland deputy, Nathan Gastineau, of Redlands, had been arrested on similar allegations.

The sheriff’s department provides police services to Loma Linda. And it was not uncommon for Gastineau to patrol in Loma Linda.

As a result of the arrests, Hoops announced the department would launch a review of the entire explorer program. At that press conference, Hoops predicted it would take 60 days to complete a full review.