PERRY — A Houston County Sheriff's Office deupty was fired Monday, June 1 after being accused of sexual assualt last month.
Houston County jail records show 49-year-old Nakia Benefield was arrested Wednesday, June 3 and is being held without bond. Benefield was arrested on charges of Rape, Aggravated Sexual Battery, False Imprisonment and Violation of Oath after a Warner Robins sexual assault investigation, according to Houston County jail records and the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.
Benefield is a native of Ware County and a 1997 Ware County High School graduate.
The Warner Robins Police Department began investigating the incident, and the sheriff's office launched an internal investigation to determine whether the deputy's alleged actions violated the agency's policies.
Sheriff Matt Moulton said in a news release the deputy was terminated effective June 1 after an internal affairs investigation found multiple policy violations.
“Allegations of criminal misconduct involving a law enforcement officer are among the most serious matters any agency can face,” the sheriff said. “Such allegations are taken seriously, investigated thoroughly and addressed decisively. In this case, immediate action was taken to remove Deputy Benefield from active duty while both the criminal and administrative investigations were conducted.”
According to the sheriff’s office, Warner Robins police responded May 18 to a report of a possible sexual assault. During the investigation, Benefield was identified as a possible suspect.
Moulton said the investigation revealed “multiple policy violations.”
Deputy Benefield was suspended May 19 without pay pending termination.
The sheriff’s office says Benefield was employed at the time and was serving as a school resource deputy. He was hired July 24, 2023 by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.
Moulton said Benefield was immediately ordered to report to the sheriff’s office and placed on paid administrative leave after the agency learned of the allegations.
The Warner Robins Police Department conducted the criminal investigation, while the Houston County Sheriff’s Office opened an internal affairs investigation to determine if Benefield violated agency policies and standards of conduct, according to the release.
The sheriff’s office says Benefield was suspended without pay May 19 pending termination. Benefield had until May 29 to appeal the pending termination, but no appeal was filed, according to the sheriff’s office.
“The foundation of public safety is trust,” Moulton said in the release. “The partnership between law enforcement and the community we serve depends upon accountability, transparency, and professionalism. Without trust, there can be no partnership. The Houston County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of conduct and will continue to hold all employees accountable for their actions.”
Moulton said the sheriff’s office cooperated with the Warner Robins Police Department and the Houston County District Attorney’s Office throughout the investigation.
The sheriff’s office said no further comments will be made while the case remains in the criminal justice process.
Benefield marks the fourth Houston County Sheriff's Office law enforcement officer fired after LaTosha Ross was charged after allegedly being captured on video 'kissing' an inmate as a jailer. Two other jailers, Daisha O'Daine and Shantess Hart, were also fired and charged in connection with an inmate-run drug investigation.
