LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Detective Michael Benjamin upon the
occasion of receiving a Police Chiefs Association of Ulster County's
Meritorious Police Service-Investigation Award on May 5, 2013

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
those distinguished officers and citizens who devote themselves to
public service, demonstrating great courage and diligence in providing
for the care and welfare of the citizens of their communities and this
great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York, there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
command the respect and admiration of their community for their exem-
plary contributions and service on behalf of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Detective
Michael Benjamin upon the occasion of receiving a Police Chiefs Associ-
ation of Ulster County's Meritorious Police Service-Investigation Award
at its Law Enforcement Awards Banquet to be held at the Diamond Mills
Hotel in Saugerties, New York, on Sunday, May 5, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Described as a defendant who is a predator who targets early
adolescents by Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright at the
time of Brian D.'s arrest, strong words from the District Attorney and,
an even stronger case was brought to him by Arresting Detective Michael
Benjamin of the Kingston Police Department; and
WHEREAS, On April 21, 2012, Detective Benjamin received a report of a
25 year old male having a sexual relationship with a 13 year old female
who attended a Kingston Middle School; these types of cases can be very
difficult and one wrong step can cause the victim to close down; Detec-
tive Benjamin knew this and knew that the case rested on the results of
a good interview; and
WHEREAS, With the cooperation of the girl's parents, Detective Benja-
min did it by the book; not only did he learn what he needed to know
about his case, he was also able to get details on three other victims
this predator had struck and, what was worse, all the girls knew each
other and attended the same school; and
WHEREAS, Detective Benjamin learned that from the summer of 2011
through April of 2012, Brian D. gained the trust of two of the girls
through Facebook and text messages and District Attorney Carnright
described his use of social media as highlighting the risks associated
with such technology that every parent or guardian must be aware of; and
WHEREAS, Brian D. was arrested on April 25, 2012 and charged with four
counts of felony rape, one count of misdemeanor sexual abuse and four
counts of endangering the welfare of a child; and
WHEREAS, One can only wonder what goes on in the mind of such a preda-
tor; Detective Benjamin knew that, somehow, he had to enter his world to
build a successful case, and build a successful case he did; and
WHEREAS, On December 18, 2012, Brian D. was sentenced on four separate
counts of Felony Rape in the Second Degree; as a result, he will serve a
minimum of seventeen years in state prison and when he is ever released,
he will walk out of prison as a registered sex offender; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that dedicated
public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the preservation
of order and the protection of others are worthy and due full praise for
their commitment and noble endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Detective Michael Benjamin upon the occasion of receiving a Police
Chiefs Association of Ulster County's Meritorious Police Service-Inves-
tigation Award on May 5, 2013; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Detective Michael Benjamin.