BENSON POLICE DEPARTMENT
303 EAST CHURCH STREET
BENSON, NC 27504
TELEPHONE 919-894-3616 FAX 919-207-1993
- - -PRESS RELEASE- - -
July 17, 2006
On July 17, 2006, at approximately 4:06 AM, Ptl. Dexter Soward of the Benson Police Department responded to a Suspicious Person call at a residence on South Lee Street in Benson. Upon his arrival, he spoke with the Reporting Person, a 22-year-old female. While he was speaking with the female, he was dispatched to a nearby "Stabbing," and advised the female to wait inside the house, and told her that he would return as quickly as he could.
According to the victim, after the officer left, the suspect, identified as Richard Darnell James (B/M-28), ran towards her, from a wooded area across from the residence. The victim dialed 911, but was attacked by James before she could speak to the Telecommunicator. The victim was struck about the head, and she was dragged by the shirt to another location in the yard, where James attempted to sexually assault her. However, the victim was able to fight James off, and he fled the scene, but was located and captured within minutes, when Ptl. Soward returned.
The subsequent investigation into this incident, conducted by Lieutenant Greg Percy, revealed that this incident had been on going for approximately six hours, and started with James verbally accosting the victim as she walked home. He later watched through a window as she took a shower, entered the residence and yard multiple times without permission, and finally, attacked her in the yard.
A total of ten charges were eventually filed against Richard Darnell James, to include Attempted Second Degree Rape, Second Degree Kidnapping, Interfering with Emergency Communications, Secret Peeping, Communicating Threats, two counts of Misdemeanor Breaking and Entering, and three counts of Second Degree Trespassing. He was later placed into the Johnston County Jail under a $106,500 Secured Bond.
Chief Edwards stated, "Mr. James has been charged in the past with both crimes of violence, and also various sex offenses, and the thought that he would commit these crimes in our community upsets me. However, I am pleased that he was apprehended quickly afterwards, and I truly hope that whatever punishment he receives is appropriate for the amount of terror, pain, and anguish the victim suffered.
For any additional information, please contact Chief Kenneth Edwards at 919-894-2091. A photo of James is available from the Johnston County Jail.