Full Notification

On Thursday, May 7, 2015, Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott was notified of a disturbing allegation that one of the male civilian detention employees had been involved in inappropriate sexual conduct with female inmates who were being detained in the Greene County Jail. We immediately conducted an investigation into the allegation.


Upon completion of the investigation, Sheriff Arnott terminated the employment of suspect and personally arrested 25-yearold GCSO Correctional Officer MATTHEW R BENTON. The Greene County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has charged Benton with:

1 - Felony count of Sexual Contact with Prisoner or Offender by Probation/Parole Officer/Employee of Jail, Prison, Correctional Facility

(case #1531-CR02869, bond amount $7,500.00)


Mr. Benton was an employee of the GCSO since August 2014. "I have the highest expectation for the Deputies, Correctional Officers and other employees of the Sheriff's Office to serve with integrity, professionalism, dedication, competence and character. When we fail to do so, we are failing our community and the citizens who have entrusted us to serve them," states Sheriff Jim Arnott. "It’s very disappointing when an issue like this take place within our agency. Although rare, we take any type of misconduct very seriously, address them aggressively, and have no tolerance for the behavior."


Mr. Benton is no longer in custody at the Greene County Jail; a court date has been scheduled for May 15, 2015