Granbury city council candidate arrested, accused of possession of child porn
GRANBURY, Texas - A Granbury city council candidate was arrested on Monday on accusations of possession of child pornography.
Brad Benson was taken into custody on Monday morning and charged with two counts of possession of child pornography, a first degree felony.
Bradley Benson
Benson is on the ballot for Place 4 on the Granbury City Council in Tuesday's election.
Multiple agencies assisted in the search for evidence and arrest, but the District Attorney's office said little else, citing an active investigation.
The DA's Office would not say what led investigators to Benson or reveal any details about how or where child porn images were allegedly obtained.
The arrest affidavit FOX 4 requested for Benson has not yet been made available.
Benson is a Deputy Fire Marshal, member of the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department and small businessman, according to the Hood County Republican Party.
He is also listed as the general manager and partner of Cinergy Cinemas.
The Granbury Volunteer Fire Department Cheif declined an on-camera interview, but told FOX 4 off camera that Benson was suspended from all activities with the organization.
Granbury VFD also convened a disciplinary committee to consider terminating Benson.
The Republican Party of Hood County Executive Committee says it spoke with law enforcement and unanimously withdrew its support for Benson in the City Council race.
"Based on the limited information available, it is our understanding that a serious sex related offense may be involved. If these allegations are true, there is no way the party would ever condone such activity," said the Republican Party of Hood County in a statement.
The Hood County District Attorney's Office said in a statement to FOX 4:
"Brad Benson was arrested on two first-degree felony counts of possession of child pornography. This arrest occurred after investigators with the District Attorney's Child Exploitation Unit executed a search warrant at Mr. Benson's residence and discovered child pornography in his possession. Multiple agencies assisted in executing this search warrant. However, because this case is still under active investigation we cannot provide any additional comment at this time."
(Facebook: Brad Benson for Granbury City Council)
Benson's campaign accounts have not addressed his arrest at this time.