A Fayette County man is currently incarcerated in the Fayette County Jail, charged with multiple counts of domestic violence, rape, kidnapping, and aggravated menacing following an alleged domestic incident over the weekend at a home in the 6000 block of White Oak Road in northeast Fayette County.
According to Sheriff Vernon Stanforth, his office conducted an investigation following reports of a female that was allegedly the victim of a physical and sexual assault and held against her will during an alleged domestic-related incident that reportedly began on Friday evening into the early morning hours Saturday. The suspect, identified as Donald Brandon Bennett, 46, of Bloomingburg, allegedly made contact with the female victim, a former acquaintance and live-in partner of Mr. Bennett, and asked the victim over for dinner. Upon arrival, the victim allegedly found Bennett in an agitated state which reportedly led to the victim being physically and sexually assaulted. It was also reported that Bennett brandished and threatened the victim with a firearm during the alleged incident. The victim reported that she was held against her will after attempting to leave the residence.
The victim was later treated at a medical facility for injuries sustained during the alleged assault. Sheriff’s detectives obtained arrest warrants for Donald Bennett and he was taken into custody by deputies without incident at his residence in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 15th, 2018. Sheriff’s detectives continued their investigation, obtaining a warrant to search the Bennett residence. Evidence suspected to be related to the alleged offense were recovered during the search warrant execution.
Bennett appeared before the Washington Court House Municipal Court on Monday morning for his arraignment and was ordered held in the Fayette County Jail in lieu of bond. Sheriff’s detectives are continuing their investigation.