Republican Candidate Charged With Child Porn Offenses Hours Before Election

A Texas Republican city council candidate is facing felony child pornography charges after being arrested just hours before the elections.

Brad Benson, a candidate for Place #4 on the city council of Granbury, located just southwest of Fort Worth, was arrested on November 6. "I can confirm he was arrested by the District Attorney's Office yesterday and charged with two felony child pornography charges, he should have a bond set today," Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds told Newsweek.

The Republican Party of Hood County (RPHC) withdrew its support for Benson after more details about the charges emerged.

"Crimes of this degree tear at the heart and soul of society, and we condemn them in the strongest terms," an RPHC spokesperson said in a November 6 statement. "The Republican Party stands for the conservative, family values and the protection of children. These heinous acts are antithetical to what Republicans stand for."

A mugshot of Texas city council candidate Brad Benson. Benson was charged with two counts of child pornography the day before the city council election. Hood County Sheriff's Office

"The executive committee has conferred, spoken with law enforcement, confirmed more substantial information, and unanimously withdraws their support for Mr. Benson," the statement added. "It is time for the justice system to act if Mr. Benson is proven guilty, the punishment needs to be swift and severe.

"We sincerely hope that the grace and peace of our merciful God comes upon all the children and families involved and that healing, repentance, and restoration will be seen in personal lives, along with our beloved community."

Newsweek has contacted the Hood County District Attorney's Office and the RPHC for comment via email.

According to the bond report, Benson—a member of the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department—was apprehended at his home in the Watersedge area of the city.

Benson remains listed as a councilmember candidate for Place #4 in the November 7 election.

According to the United States Sentencing Commission (USSC), in 2022 there were 41 child pornography offenders in the Northern District of Texas where Granbury is located. Only the Southern District of Texas and the Eastern District of Missouri recorded more offenders that year, with 42 and 51, respectively.

The USSC said 1,435 child pornography cases were reported to it in 2022 and that offenses had increased by 1.3 percent from the recorded 1,416 in 2018.

"I pray for all the children who may have been hurt as a result of Brad Benson's actions if true," said Charles Beard, an army veteran who is standing for Place 4 on the city council. "Child pornography is a sickness and will forever hurt its victims for life. I pray you [God] charge your angels to watch over these victims.

"God, I pray that the city of Granbury will be able to get thru [sic] this tragedy. We must recognize that Brad Benson's family has done nothing wrong and we need to continue to pray for them daily."

Rhonda Williams, who is standing in the separate November 7 Granbury ISD school board election, said of the allegations: "As a mom and grandmother, my heart is broken for all the innocent children hurt by this, if the charges are true. I am literally sick to my stomach and this infuriates me.

"One of the reasons I am running is to protect our children, and if this is true, throw the book at him."

Alejandra Muñoz, who is also standing in the school board election, commented: "This deeply hurts my heart and also makes me very angry. Our world is fallen and the only thing that can save us is the blood of Jesus. This situation reminds me of that today.

"One of the main reasons I am running for Granbury ISD is to protect and empower our precious children, and they are our future."

Update 11/07/23 10:18 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from the Hood County sheriff and to correct a reference to "federal" charges to "felony" charges.