Centralia man charged with sexually abusing 17-year-old girl

A 30-year-old Centralia man was charged with first-degree sexual assault in Marion County Court on Friday.

Deairius Bennett of Robnett is accused of forcing a 17-year-old Centralia juvenile to perform sexual acts on May 2 after inviting her to his home to “hang out” and “chill.” The girl said she was in the area looking for a friend.

Centralia police first became aware of the incident when an officer was later called to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital. The juvenile said she did not know the man’s name or address.

The teen was later able to identify Bennett as the person allegedly involved in the sexual assault when police were in the area of ​​her home on June 14 and took a report of the man allegedly going into stores and demanding money from employees. The man had allegedly given his name and phone number to a person in the area because he was looking for a bicycle he had left there five years ago.

Using Bennett’s name, Centralia police created a photo lineup in which the underage girl allegedly chose Bennett as the person who sexually assaulted her. Bennett was tracked down by police and arrested as a passenger during a traffic stop Thursday evening.

Bennett told police the sex was consensual and he was seduced. He also said he believed she was 19.

At his first court appearance on Friday, District Attorney Tim Hudspeth requested that Bennett be held without bail. Instead, he was released on conditions prohibiting him from having any contact with the juvenile or anyone under 18. A public defender was appointed to represent him. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for July 19.