Bergen County Officials Arrest Former Hackensack Basketball Player Charged with Kidnapping,Sex Crimes

By Travis Tormey posted in Assault and Threat Crimes on Tuesday, April 15, 2014

hackensack kidnapping sexual assault case.jpgDetectives from the Bergen County Prosecutors Office and officers from the Hackensack Police Department recently arrested a man who is now facing charges including kidnapping, sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child for alleged crimes against a 14-year-old female victim.

24-year-old Darion Benbow was taken into custody on Friday, April 11th following an investigation by law enforcement officials from Bergen County. Benbow, who is originally from Hackensack, was a former college basketball player for Lafayette University in Pennsylvania.He is now charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and providing alcohol to a minor, according to police records.

Of the crimes for which he is accused, both kidnapping and sexual assault offenses are among the most serious in New Jersey. According to N.J.S.A. 2C:13-1, which pertains to kidnapping offenses, they can be classified as crimes of the first or second degree. Sexual assault, codified under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2, is also considered a first or second degree crime under New Jersey law.

Depending on the degree of the charges against Benbow, he could be facing a sentence of up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison if he is found guilty. Both first and second degree crimes entail a presumption of incarceration. However, first degree crimes are punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 10 to 20 years, while second degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Following his arrest, Benbow was being held at the Bergen County Jail, with his bail set at $400,000. His arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16th in Bergen County Superior Court.

For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Former college ballplayer charged in sex assault, kidnapping in Hackensack


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