Earlier today (Wednesday), special agents from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) arrested two former North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers after an investigation into ticket irregularities that began in June of 2019 at the request of Highway Patrol and the Harnett County District Attorney.
Former Trooper Jason Benson has been charged with five felony counts of obstruction of justice, 5 misdemeanor counts of failure to discharge duty, and 5 misdemeanor counts of making a false return of process.
Former Trooper Christopher Carter has been charged with two felony counts of obstruction of justice, 2 misdemeanor counts of failure to discharge duty, and 2 misdemeanor counts of making a false return of process.
Benson and Carter were arrested Wednesday morning without incident by special agents from the SBI’s Capital District after turning themselves in at the Harnett County Detention Center.
During the investigation, special agents identified more than a dozen victims who had been issued citations or charges in Harnett County unbeknownst to them. Most of the citations stemmed from single car accidents or abandoned vehicles in Harnett County where they were assigned.
In some cases, the two troopers charged individuals and failed to serve the citation(s). The victims didn’t know they had been charged meaning they didn’t show up for their court dates. As a result, arrest warrants were issued for some while others had their driver’s licenses suspended.
The SBI said their investigation is still ongoing. No additional information was released following the troopers arrest today.
