BENSON MAN FACING CHILD SEX OFFENSE CHARGES IN THREE JURISDICTIONS Followed victim from residence to residence, police say
September 26, 2019
Rick Curl
My Daily Record
A Benson man, wanted in three jurisdictions after he was accused of molesting a child as they moved across the state over a span of at least five years, is behind bars — in large part due to the investigative efforts of Benson Police detective William Brown.
John Edward Degumba, 30, was arrested Tuesday and is facing charges in Benson, Franklinton and Franklin County in connection with what was an allegedly ongoing crime as the victim’s family changed residences. A domestic call led Brown to the victim, who in turn identified her molester as Degumba, according to Benson police.
“During the domestic call, information was revealed to the responding officers that the juvenile in the home may have been sexually abused,” Brown told The Daily Record. “During a follow-up investigation, I discovered a history of abuse from the age of 9 or 10 to the age of 15, spanning across multiple jurisdictions and counties.”
Degumba was taken into custody after turning himself in to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. He is being charged in Benson for alleged acts which took place in 2016.
“In cooperation with Franklin County and the Franklinton PD, during the follow-up, we were able to charge him with several crimes,” Brown said. “It’s possible we have more pending. I’m still following up on other jurisdictions. It’s because of where the family lived over the years.”
Benson police have charged Degumba with one count of statutory sexual offense with a child and one count of indecent liberties with a child. Franklinton Police have charged him with one count of sexual offense with a child and one count of indecent liberties with a child. And the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has charged Degumba with one count of rape of a child, one count of sexual offense with a child and one count of indecent liberties with a child.
He is currently being held under a $450,000 secured bond in the Franklin County Detention Center.
Brown said the investigation was routine and he did nothing out of the ordinary. He did admit making an arrest in a case such as this one did provide a feeling of getting the job done properly.
“Absolutely,” he said. “They’re tough cases, but you’ve got to do it.”
Message from Executive Director Laura A. Ahearn: Please visit our website at www.crimevictimscenter.org for news, information and resources in your community.
Follow on:
Comments are closed.