http://www.news9.com/story/37361524/mma-instructor-wants-off-sex-offender-registry
MMA Instructor Wants Off Sex Offender Registry
Posted: Jan 26, 2018 6:45 PM EST Updated: Jan 26, 2018 7:57 PM EST
By Aaron Brilbeck, News 9
YUKON, Oklahoma -
Some parents reached out to us, concerned a mixed martial arts instructor in Yukon was working with children even though he is a registered sex offender. So, we checked it out.
18 years ago, MMA fighter and instructor Eric Benton admits he made some mistakes. He served his time, but he says he's still paying for his crimes.
In the cage, Benton was unstoppable. Working with people with Parkinson's Disease, he shows patience and compassion. But when class is over and the gym goes quiet, his ghosts return.
"I'm still taking punishment" Benton said, fighting back tears, "still taking blows, you know?"
Back in December of 2000, when he was 28-years-old and living in Kansas, Benton met a girl. He says he thought she was older. Turns out, she was underage and he was convicted of indecent liberties with a child.
Back then, Benton says his life was all about boozing and brawling. He got out jail, put down the bottle, and put on the gloves, competing nationally and, with his wife, opening up a gym.
"He served his time," Tamara Benton said, "and he hasn't been in trouble in 20 years."
"I've made mistakes,” Benton added, “and I've done my time. (I) try to be the best man I can be."
But this keeps coming back to haunt him. He was placed on the sex offender registry for 10 years in Kansas but because he moved to Oklahoma and the law is worded differently here, Benton is on the registry for life. It's cost him customers and friends.
"They say that it's embarrassing to be our friend," Tamara said, "and it's a burden to stick up for us."
Benton added, "There's times when I want to quit, just give up, go back to the old lifestyle, but I look at how much it helps the people that come reaching out."
The Bentons say Benton never trains with kids. Children train in a different building.
The Bentons are trying to get Benton off the sex offender registry. But lawyers are expensive. And, even for a long-time fighter, this fight is exhausting.
"It's like the better I do, the harder they come at us," Benton said. "I'm not the man I was then. I can strongly say that people that know me, they know what kind of man I am."
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MMA Instructor Wants Off Sex Offender Registry
Posted: Jan 26, 2018 6:45 PM EST Updated: Jan 26, 2018 7:57 PM EST
By Aaron Brilbeck, News 9
YUKON, Oklahoma -
Some parents reached out to us, concerned a mixed martial arts instructor in Yukon was working with children even though he is a registered sex offender. So, we checked it out.
18 years ago, MMA fighter and instructor Eric Benton admits he made some mistakes. He served his time, but he says he's still paying for his crimes.
In the cage, Benton was unstoppable. Working with people with Parkinson's Disease, he shows patience and compassion. But when class is over and the gym goes quiet, his ghosts return.
"I'm still taking punishment" Benton said, fighting back tears, "still taking blows, you know?"
Back in December of 2000, when he was 28-years-old and living in Kansas, Benton met a girl. He says he thought she was older. Turns out, she was underage and he was convicted of indecent liberties with a child.
Back then, Benton says his life was all about boozing and brawling. He got out jail, put down the bottle, and put on the gloves, competing nationally and, with his wife, opening up a gym.
"He served his time," Tamara Benton said, "and he hasn't been in trouble in 20 years."
"I've made mistakes,” Benton added, “and I've done my time. (I) try to be the best man I can be."
But this keeps coming back to haunt him. He was placed on the sex offender registry for 10 years in Kansas but because he moved to Oklahoma and the law is worded differently here, Benton is on the registry for life. It's cost him customers and friends.
"They say that it's embarrassing to be our friend," Tamara said, "and it's a burden to stick up for us."
Benton added, "There's times when I want to quit, just give up, go back to the old lifestyle, but I look at how much it helps the people that come reaching out."
The Bentons say Benton never trains with kids. Children train in a different building.
The Bentons are trying to get Benton off the sex offender registry. But lawyers are expensive. And, even for a long-time fighter, this fight is exhausting.
"It's like the better I do, the harder they come at us," Benton said. "I'm not the man I was then. I can strongly say that people that know me, they know what kind of man I am."
News9.com allows its users to express opinions on stories, but reserves the right to remove comments for any reason. Comments do not reflect the views of News 9 or its employees. A Facebook account is required to participate -- if you do not currently have an account, sign up here.
Comments
News
More>>
'Ahead Of The Storm' To Air On News 9
Ahead Of The Storm graphic.Ahead Of The Storm graphic.
Join News 9 and the Oklahoma Weather Experts for a special program on March 12, 2018 at 7 p.m.
More >>
14 Oklahoma Counties Could Lose Right To Sell Beer
Up to 14 counties in Oklahoma might not be able to sell beer after a low-point beer becomes unavailable in October.
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https://sors.doc.state.ok.us/svor/f?p=SORS:216:0::NO:RP,216:O:D7EBC3F77C224F291B42247955F555BF&x=bd86e7b1-8bb7-4417-b002-c1690372aff9
Search
Notifications
Delinquents
Offender Roster
Transient Offenders
Search Offender Details
Erik Nelson Benton
Offender Photos
Photo
12-22-2009
1 2 3 4
DOC 251877
DOB 04-22-1972
Aliases
Eric Nelson Benton
Registry Status
Appearance
Race Sex Eye Color Hair Color Weight Height Age
American Indian Male Brown Black 195 Lbs 5 Feet 07 Inches 45
Other Physical Identifiers
Tattoo - Neck Bear Claw
Tattoo - Abdomen Bear Claws
Tattoo - Leg, Left, Nonspecific Chickasaw Warrior
Tattoo - Leg, Right, Nonspecific "Arapaho Warrior"
Tattoo - Arm, Left Tribal Banner w/2 feathers
Tattoo - Arm, Right Tribal Banner-Kiowa Tribe
Scar - Head, Nonspecific
Scar - Abdomen
Offenses
Addresses
Type Address Physical Address Jurisdiction
HOME 11913 NW 136th Terr Piedmont, Oklahoma 73078 Canadian Co - Oklahoma City Police Department
Employers
Type Employer Occupation ADDRESS Search Phone Numbers
WORK FLAIR BODY WORKS - 118TH NW 1ST MOORE Oklahoma 73160 Cleveland Google 405-315-7404
School
No School information was found for this offender.
Vehicle / Air & Water Craft
Year Color Model Style Tag State Tag Type Tag
2017 Black Nissan Armada - Oklahoma - -
2017 White Honda Accord - Oklahoma - -
Search
Notifications
Delinquents
Offender Roster
Transient Offenders
Search Offender Details
Erik Nelson Benton
Offender Photos
Photo
12-22-2009
1 2 3 4
DOC 251877
DOB 04-22-1972
Aliases
Eric Nelson Benton
Registry Status
Appearance
Race Sex Eye Color Hair Color Weight Height Age
American Indian Male Brown Black 195 Lbs 5 Feet 07 Inches 45
Other Physical Identifiers
Tattoo - Neck Bear Claw
Tattoo - Abdomen Bear Claws
Tattoo - Leg, Left, Nonspecific Chickasaw Warrior
Tattoo - Leg, Right, Nonspecific "Arapaho Warrior"
Tattoo - Arm, Left Tribal Banner w/2 feathers
Tattoo - Arm, Right Tribal Banner-Kiowa Tribe
Scar - Head, Nonspecific
Scar - Abdomen
Offenses
Addresses
Type Address Physical Address Jurisdiction
HOME 11913 NW 136th Terr Piedmont, Oklahoma 73078 Canadian Co - Oklahoma City Police Department
Employers
Type Employer Occupation ADDRESS Search Phone Numbers
WORK FLAIR BODY WORKS - 118TH NW 1ST MOORE Oklahoma 73160 Cleveland Google 405-315-7404
School
No School information was found for this offender.
Vehicle / Air & Water Craft
Year Color Model Style Tag State Tag Type Tag
2017 Black Nissan Armada - Oklahoma - -
2017 White Honda Accord - Oklahoma - -