Marine Arrested for Sex with a Minor and Helping the Minor Run Away

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HESPERIA, Ca. – A 19-year-old U.S. Marine was arrested for having sex with a minor and assisting her in running away from her home.

Authorities with the Hesperia Station responded to a home in the 10000 block of Eighth Avenue at around 8:17 a.m. on Sunday, February 28, 2021, for the report of a runaway 15-year-old girl. The reporting party, the girl’s grandmother, said that she ran away from the home sometime at night. Through investigation, it was learned that the victim was communicating with Benjamin Clinton over a period of time in order to coordinate her departure from the home. The teen left her home without permission in order to meet Clinton, who detectives believe she met online and had been involved in a sexual relationship.

Hesperia Station Deputies coordinated with military officials and subsequently made contact with Clinton. Clinton was booked into jail for sex with a minor and concealment of a child from a legal guardian. The investigation is ongoing

Anyone with information about this investigation, or any additional victims are asked to contact the Hesperia Police Department at (760) 947-1500 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave the information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.