Teacher’s Aide In Texas Sentenced For Repeated Rape Of 11-Year-Old Boy

A 26-year-old Mesquite ISD teacher’s aide was arrested on Thursday after she confessed to having multiple sexual encounters with an 11-year-old boy over the last few months.

Mesquite police received multiple reports that led them to believe a teacher’s aide at Tisinger Elementary in Mesquite ISD identified as Jessica Jewel Corin Benton, had sexually assaulted the boy last Friday at a private residence.

After police spoke to witnesses, Benton agreed to be interviewed by investigators and admitted the crime. She was then arrested for aggravated sexual assault, a 1st-degree felony.

According to the arrest warrant in the case, Benton and the boy had sexual relations approximately 10 times between mid-May 2016 and Aug. 31, 2016.

The victim in the case attends another MISD school. Police say there is no indication the offenses occurred on district property and also no indication of other victims.

Benton was initially being held pending $150,000 bond. However, On Friday, Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson announced a jury handed down a 60 year jail sentence to Jessica Jewel Corin Benton, a former Mesquite Independent School District teacher’s aide convicted of multiple sexual assaults on the male minor

Benton’s trial spanned from August 21 to August 23, and after 30 minutes a jury delivered a verdict of guilty, and the next day she was sentenced to 60 years imprisonment without the possibility of parole. She faced 25 years to life in prison.

District Attorney Johnson was pleased with the outcome.

“Even though we have a dedicated Crimes Against Children unit within the District Attorney’s Office and we work with Children’s Advocacy Center and other law enforcement officials across the country, it took a small child with true courage to speak up on behalf of another child to get this investigation started,” Johnson said.

“This verdict should send a strong message, especially with students returning years to school this week that an to the fullest extent of the law.”