On 8/18/14, officers with the Benton Police Department took a report of a sex offender possibly violating their terms of release. The offender, identified as Robert Warford (39 YOA) of Saline County, reportedly entered Ringgold Elementary School on the morning of 8/18/14. This took place at approximately 7:20-7:40AM, when students and parents were entering the school for their first day back. Warford did have a legitimate reason to be at the school, but violated his terms of release by not notify staff and requesting an escort while on school premises.
After reviewing witness statements and video evidence, detectives with the Benton Police Department arrested Warford on 8/20/14 without incident. He is charged with being a Registered Sex Offender Prohibited from Entering School Campus and is currently detained at the Saline County Detention Facility.
This investigation is on-going, but anyone with information about this crime 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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