Washington man indicted on charge of sexual abuse

WASHINGTON — On Aug. 16, the Washington County Attorney’s Office formally indicted Benjamin Scott, 23, of Washington, for distribution of a controlled substance to a minor within 1,000 feet of a school, a Class B felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison with a mandatory 10-year sentence; sexual abuse in the third degree, a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison; and possession of a controlled substance, a Serious Misdemeanor.

“On Dec. 29, 2021, the Washington Police Department received a report of sexual abuse of a 16-year-old,” a statement from the Washington County Attorney’s office said. “The child reported they were at Scott’s house when Scott provided the child with drugs. The child became intoxicated, and was then sexually assaulted by Scott. A DNA analysis confirmed the presence of Scott’s DNA in the crotch area of the child’s shorts.”

The Washington Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and Washington County Attorney’s Office investigated this case, leading to Scott’s arrest.