ST. CROIX — A man who has been accused of rape by multiple females was again arrested on Saturday on a warrant issued by the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, in connection with a first-degree rape, unlawful sexual contact and child abuse incident that police say began in 1998 and continued until 2000, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte announced Saturday.
Ethelbert “Bert” Benjamin, above, age 57, arrested twice last year, was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advise-of-rights hearing after failing to make bail of $150,000.
On Sept. 29, 2016, Mr. Benjamin was arrested on a first-degree rape charge following a report by a then-20-year-old, who stated that she was raped by Mr. Benjamin.
Mr. Benjamin was rearrested on November 22 of the same year on first-degree aggravated rape, first-degree unlawful sexual contact and child abuse charges, after a female family member of Mr. Benjamin told police that he had sexually assaulted her, according to Mr. Dratte. His bail then was also set at $150,000, according to police.
After showing up in court on November 23, Mr. Benjamin was placed under house arrest with an electronic monitoring device strapped to his person.
The V.I.P.D. is asking anyone who has been sexually abused to contact the V.I.P.D. Domestic Violence Unit at 340-778-2211 on St. Croix, or 340 774 2211 on St. Thomas. You can also send in your information to Crime Stoppers USVI, or call 911.
Tags: ethelbert bert benjamin, rape, st croix, us virgin islands, usvi
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