Benham was being interviewed by this reporter during a break from the workshop when Department of Public Safety Sex Offender Registry coordinator PO2 Jason Tarkong, Deputy U.S. Marshal Randyl Kruid and two other officers arrived.
It was this reporter who informed Tarkong and Kruid about Benham’s criminal record after a Variety online commentator, “Long Time Resident,” posted information about it on this newspaper’s story Thursday regarding the free photography and modeling workshop.
The workshop’s morning session drew 25 participants, and modeling and lighting were supposed to be discussed after lunch.
Benham told officers he would register as a sex offender. The registration was facilitated by Tarkong in the U.S. Marshal’s Office at the Horiguchi Bldg. in Garapan.
Benham, who now resides near Garapan Elementary School, was allowed to go home about 2 p.m.
Prior to the arrival of the authorities, this reporter talked to Benham and showed him a printed copy of the Michigan Department of Corrections that listed him as a sex offender.
“That’s me,” Benham said, but added that pieces of evidence proving his innocence were withheld.
Benham told Variety he served 14 years and eight months in prison.
He was convicted on Jan. 25, 1993 on charges of “criminal sexual conduct first degree (person under 13); criminal sexual conduct second degree (multiple variables); and criminal sexual conduct first degree (multiple variables).”
He was released from prison on Nov. 2, 2006 but has to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Benham said he arrived on island last Oct. 3, 2011.
In his Facebook account, Benham says he has a doctorate in metaphysical theological philosophy.
The last time he registered as a sex offender was in Michigan on July 5, 2011.
