Kodiak Brothers indicted for federal firearm and drug trafficking crimes

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that, on March 16, 2016, two Kodiak brothers were indicted separately by a federal grand jury, for federal firearm and drug trafficking crimes.  

Mark Benton, 49, of Kodiak, Alaska, was named as the sole defendant in an indictment charging him for being a felon in possession of ammunition, for an incident that occurred in Kodiak on January 8, 2016.

David Benton, 55, also from Kodiak, was named as the sole defendant in a separate indictment charging him with being in possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, for an incident that occurred in Kodiak on January 26, 2016.

These charges stem from incidents previously charged by the State of Alaska.  Mark Benton is currently charged by the State of Alaska in case 3KO-16-00009 CR with kidnapping, assault, and misconduct involving weapons.  David Benton is currently charged by the State of Alaska in case 3KO-16-00033 CR with misconduct involving controlled substances.

The Alaska State Troopers and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.