A Republican city council candidate in Texas was arrested on Monday ahead of Election Day on two felony counts of possession of child pornography.
Brad Benson, a volunteer firefighter and longtime movie theater manager in Granbury, a city southwest of Dallas-Fort Worth, was arrested Monday, the Hood County Republican Party said in a statement.
Benson is the Republican candidate for Place 4 on the Granbury City Council in Tuesday’s election.
“Based on the limited information available, we understand that serious sex-related offenses may have been involved. If these allegations are true, there is no way the party will allow such activities,” the party said.
The Hood County Republican Party withdrew its endorsement of Benson after additional details about the charges emerged.
Brad Benson, the Republican candidate for Place 4 on the Granbury City Council, was arrested Monday on two counts of possession of child pornography.
“Crimes of this level tear apart the hearts and souls of the community, and we condemn them in the strongest possible terms,” the two parties said in a statement. “The Republican Party stands for conservatives, family values and child protection. This heinous act goes against the Republican stand.”
Benson describes himself on his campaign site as a gay man and “a true conservative, fiscally and ideologically.”
According to his social media, he is running on a platform that will prioritize infrastructure improvements, reduce the city’s operating budget, and improve the city’s fire department.
Benson was arrested Monday, hours before Election Day. bensongranbury/Instagram
The slogan at the top of Benson’s campaign website reads, “Conservative, Texas, No BS.”
Between 30 and 40 cars were spotted at Benson’s home at about 6 a.m. Monday as law enforcement officials conducted a raid, the Hood County News reported, citing unnamed sources.
State troopers and plainclothes officers were seen hovering around his residence and searching Benson’s truck and truck bed.
Benson is charged with two felony counts of first-degree possession of child pornography.
At one point, someone emerged from the house with a brown paper sack which they handed over to a soldier, according to the outlet.
Benson is charged with two felony counts of first-degree possession of child pornography. His bond was set at $100,000 each.
He faced off against Charles Beard and Gary “Skip” Overdier, both also conservatives, for a city council seat.
Benson’s campaign has not commented on his arrest. Brad Benson for Granbury City Council/Facebook
“I pray for all the children who may have been harmed by Brad Benson’s actions if true,” Beard wrote online following news of the charges against Benson. “Child lunography is a disease and will injure its victims for life. I pray that you order your angels to watch over these victims.”
Benson’s campaign did not address his arrest.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
