Benjamin Charleston Jr.MAGNOLIA, Del.- Delaware State Police have arrested a Bridgeville man following accusations that he raped a pre-teen girl.
Troopers said they launched an investigation on Nov. 9, after receiving a report that 55-year-old Benjamin Charleston Jr. allegedly raped an 11-year-old girl. The girl reported the sexual assaults to a family member after Charleston was kicked out of the home in early November, according to investigators.
Authorities said that the incidents occurred over a one-year period while the victim was staying with relatives at a home on Mable Drive in London Village.
Following an investigation into the allegations, Charleston was taken into custody on Nov. 14 and charged with 18 counts of first-degree rape, continuous sexual abuse of a child and endangering the welfare of a child. He was committed to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $462,500 bond.
Detectivs are asking anyone with additional information about this case or similar incidents involving Charleston to contact the DSP Criminal Investigation Unit at (302) 697-2104 or the Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-333. Information may also be provided online at www.tipsubmit.com or by sending an anonymous text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
