SAN ANTONIO (KENS) - A Bexar County grand jury indicted defense attorney Mark Benavides Wednesday on 35 counts of sexual assault and compelling prostitution. The indictment covers cases from 2009-2015, according to the DA's office.
San Antonio police arrested Benavides for the charge of compelling prostitution in Nov. 2015.
The investigation stemmed from a report in 2012 that Benavides had coerced a client to perform sexual acts on him, in addition to new allegations that were raised by a client who asked for a new trial in 2015.
The separate complaints were similar enough to warrant an investigation. Prior to his arrest, several other women came forward who also claimed that Benavides coerced them into performing sexual acts and that he videotaped the encounters. More women came forward after his arrest.
The victims were each able to identify Benavides, and their stories were corroborated by evidence collected from the motel where they stated the sexual activity occurred, as well as by court documents that verify the dates of the assaults.
The DA's office said all of the victims recounted that they felt they had no choice in the matter, and that if they did not perform the sexual acts in the manner that Benavides required, they would go back to jail or he would not give them proper legal representation. Benavides was appointed on several of the cases, and hired on others. The DA's office said at this time there are nine victims alleged in the indictment.
Sexual assault and compelling prostitution are both second degree felonies, punishable by 2-20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine, according to the DA's office.
The arrest was the result of a joint investigation between the District Attorney’s Office and the San Antonio Police Department.
