Detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutors Office and officers from the Hackensack Police Department recently arrested a man who is now facing charges including kidnapping, sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child for alleged crimes against a 14-year-old female victim.

24-year-old Darion Benbow was taken into custody on Friday, April 11^th following an investigation by law enforcement officials from Bergen County. Benbow, who is originally from Hackensack, was a former college basketball player for Lafayette University in Pennsylvania.He is now charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and providing alcohol to a minor, according to police records.

Of the crimes for which he is accused, both kidnapping and sexual assault offenses are among the most serious in New Jersey. According to N.J.S.A. 2C:13-1, which pertains to kidnapping offenses, they can be classified as crimes of the first or second degree. Sexual assault, codified under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2, is also considered a first or second degree crime under New Jersey law.

Depending on the degree of the charges against Benbow, he could be facing a sentence of up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison if he is found guilty. Both first and second degree crimes entail a presumption of incarceration. However, first degree crimes are punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 10 to 20 years, while second degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Following his arrest, Benbow was being held at the Bergen County Jail, with his bail set at $400,000. His arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16^th in Bergen County Superior Court.

For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Former college ballplayer charged in sex assault, kidnapping in Hackensack