MAN FROM MINNESOTA CHARGED IN NEW MEXICO FEDERAL COURT WITH FALSE PERSONATION OF AN OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE UNITED STATES

ALBUQUERQUE – James Christopher Benvie, 44, of Albany, Minn., appeared in federal court today for an initial appearance on an indictment returned by a grand jury in New Mexico charging him with two counts of false personation of an officer or employee of the United States. 

The grand jury returned the indictment on Wednesday alleging Benvie committed these offenses in Doña Ana County on April 15, 2019 and April 17, 2019.  Benvie made his initial appearance today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma after the FBI with the assistance of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office arrested him in Guthrie, Okla.  He is scheduled for a detention hearing on Tuesday afternoon and will be transported to the District of New Mexico for prosecution. 

Benvie faces up to 3 years in prison if convicted.  An indictment is only an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. 

The FBI investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Renee L. Camacho and Randy Castellano of the Las Cruces Branch Office are prosecuting the case.