Vigo County—Today at 11:15, Indiana State Police served a Vigo County Superior Court 6 Warrant on an inmate at the Vigo County Jail for sixteen criminal counts related to his past sexual activity.
Arrested: Isiah Christopher Benford, age 31, of Terre Haute, IN.
Charges: Aggravated Battery (2) counts: Battery by Body Waste (2) counts; Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (2) counts; Violation or Failure of Carrier’s Duty to Warn (4) counts; Battery by Body Waste (2) counts; Failure to Comply (4) counts.
The ISP investigation began on May 15, 2014, when the Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office requested assistance after receiving information from the Indiana State Department of Health and the Vigo County Health Department with a public health matter involving Isiah Christopher Benford. Over the course of this investigation, Indiana State Police Detective Sam Stearley developed probable cause that indicates Benford is alleged to have had sexual relations with (4) female partners from September 11, 2003 through April 26, 2014, all the while failing to disclose his personal health issues as required in Indiana Code 16-41-7-1.
Isiah Christopher Benford has been incarcerated in the Vigo County Jail on unrelated charges since April 26, 2014.
Please obtain and review probable cause for additional information.
The case was investigated by ISP Detective Sam Stearley. Assisting were ISP Detective First Sergeant Jeff Hearon, Indiana State Department of Health, Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Vigo County Health Department.
No mug photo attached..Please utilize the Vigo County Sheriff’s website for photo.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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