Officer Benton Says False Allegations And Injustice Leveled Against Her, Confirms She Was Not Fired

I will tell you this much. A lot of injustice and false allegations have been done and when the time is right I will [be] shedding light on it all. In due time. I know how to reach you when I’m ready. — Police Officer Ashley Benton

Police Officer Ashley Benton, who allegedly punched the father of her child in the face outside a local bar at around 4:01 a.m. Saturday, have told VI Consortium that a lot of “injustice and false allegations” were leveled against her. Benton reached out to VI Consortium to make known that, contrary to what was reported, she was not fired, but instead was placed on administrative leave while her case is being investigated.

According to information made available by VIPD Public Information Officer Kevin Jackson, the victim told police he was sitting at a local bar when he was approached by a female individual, who was unknown to him, who told him he needed to take care of his child. The victim asked the individual to identify herself, at which time she informed him that she was a police detective. The unidentified detective proceeded to walk the victim toward a private vehicle waiting outside.

Once at the private vehicle, the victim saw another woman, identified as Benton, sitting in the passenger’s seat. According to the victim, Benton stepped out of the vehicle and began arguing with him. The argument escalated to the point of Benton punching him in the face. The victim then phoned the 911 Emergency Call Center and made his way to the Ancilmo Marshall Command at about 4:24 a.m. and filed a report.

VI Consortium asked Benton whether she would like to share her side of the story, however the officer said she would have “to request permission from the department first, but as of right now as per my attorney, I cannot discuss the case with anyone.”

Benton would later add that, although she is not able to speak on the matter, “I will tell you this much. A lot of injustice and false allegations have been done and when the time is right I will [be] shedding light on it all. In due time. I know how to reach you when I’m ready.”

Benton, who was among a number of police honorees in 2013 for exceptional service and awarded the Combat Cross, was immediately relieved of her duties, and charged with simple assault and battery. Benton was released on her own recognizance by Magistrate Jessica Gallivan of the Superior Court.