Frederick Man Charged with Sexually Abusing Boy in Ellicott City, Elkridge

Police announced Thursday they charged a Frederick man with child sexual abuse for incidents that happened over 10 years ago, and believe there may be more victims.

Police charged Dean Lee Benner, 47, with 14 counts of sex offenses and child abuse charges for sexually abusing a boy at locations in Elkridge and Ellicott City between 1997 to 2003, when the boy was age 6 through 13. The boy's family initially allowed the boy to visit Benner because they believed he was an uncle of a friend, said police.

A family member of the boy, who is now 23, contacted police and described the abuse by Benner. After interviewing the victim, police determined there were approximately 200 incidents of sexual abuse, some involving other boys.

The victim told police Benner would take him and other boys to either his Elkridge home, his place of business or a friend's barn in Ellicott City. He then provided alcohol and drugs to the boys, according to police. The victim said he would pass out and awaken with Benner raping him, reported police.

The victim told police Benner forced him to perform sex acts, and in some cases, held a knife or gun to the boy's head during the sex acts.

At Benner's Fredrick home police found nine guns, two large hunting knifes and three swords.

Benner is being held without bond at the Howard County Detention Center.

Police said they have contacted other people who may have been victims, but are asking others who believe they may have been a victim to contact police at 410-313-2630.