Roland man charged with kidnapping, child abuse

A Roland man is charged with felony kidnapping and child abuse and a criminal misdemeanor count of domestic abuse-assault and battery following a reported domestic dispute earlier this month.

Dalton Benson, 22, was formally charged on April 5 in Sequoyah County District Court, and following an April 5 arraignment before Associate District Judge Kyle Waters, he is now awaiting a court date for a felony disposition docket.

On the morning of April 2, Sequoyah County Sheriff’s deputy Galen Irvin reported he was dispatched to South 4770 Street in reference to a domestic dispute, and while en route, he was told the suspect and potential victim had left in a gray car, reportedly headed south.

The deputy made contact with a woman at the location who told him Benson had assaulted her and another female. The woman alleged Benson and the other female had been arguing, and Benson also began yelling profanities at her, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The woman claimed when the female went into a bathroom, Benson had followed her, and then she and another individual had heard a loud noise and then crying coming from the bathroom. The woman said she found the other female lying on the floor behind the door, crying, and helped her get to a room and lock the door.

The woman said Benson began beating on the door and trying to kick it in, and she could hear him and the other individual fighting. She claimed when she opened the door, Benson allegedly shoved her backwards to the ground before grabbing the female and trying to leave. The woman said she then screamed for help, and her son came running out of his room and confronted Benson. She said her son was able to put Benson in a headlock in an attempt to calm him down, and then released him. She said Benson then grabbed the female once again and began dragging her outside, according to the affidavit, before forcing her into her vehicle and hitting her head.

Benson then got into the passenger seat, and the two backed out of the driveway and onto the road, with Benson reportedly controlling the wheel.

Later on, authorities received a call that the two had returned to the residence. Irvin and Deputy Daniel Whitus responded and were able to detain Benson and speak with the female victim. The victim reportedly had a black eye, along with red marks from her eye to her temple.

District Attorney Jack Thorp said felony kidnapping is punishable by imprisonment for up to 20 years, while felony child abuse is punishable by imprisonment in the Department of Corrections not exceeding life, or in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000, or both fine and imprisonment.