On 11/21/13, officers took a report involving a possible rape of a juvenile incident. Contact was made with the victim in the case and the case was turned over to detectives for investigation into the matter. The male juvenile victim in the case provided information about a suspect, identified as James Gilliam (32 YOA), approaching him recently near Tyndall Park. According to the victim, Gilliam approached him near the park and ended up taking him to his (Gilliam’s) residence. At the residence Gilliam provided the victim with illegal narcotics and then raped him.
After a lengthy investigation by detectives, Gilliam was recently arrested and a search warrant was executed at his residence in Benton. There were numerous items of evidence seized from the home as part of the investigation.
Gilliam is charged with Rape, Introduction of a Controlled Substance into the Body of Another Person, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. This is an on-going investigation and additional charges could be forthcoming. Gilliam was given a $10,000 bond on these charges and is currently incarcerated in the Saline County Detention Facility.
Anyone with information about this crime or other victims is encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 778-1171 or 315-TIPS. Individuals also may send an anonymous crime tip about this incident to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip.
Any suspects listed are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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