A third person has been arrested in connection with an ongoing multi-state investigation led by the Bennington Police Department into the reported sexual assault of a child.
According to the Bennington Police Department, 34-year-old Alec Jones was arrested June 30 by the Elk River Police Department in Minnesota after authorities executed a felony arrest warrant issued by the Douglas County District Court. Jones is currently being held in the Sherburne County Jail in Minnesota while awaiting extradition back to Nebraska.
Jones faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree sexual assault of a child, first-degree sexual assault of a child age 12-15, third-degree sexual assault of a child, and tampering with a witness.
The arrest is the latest development in an investigation that previously resulted in the arrests of Bennington residents Joseph Michael Thomas Bruce, 39, and Lindsey Kay Smith, 39. Bruce and Smith were arrested June 28 on felony warrants related to the same investigation and are facing charges including child abuse, accessory to a felony, and tampering with a witness or informant.
The investigation began following a report made to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline regarding the alleged sexual assault of a child. Bennington Police said the case remains active and additional charges and arrest warrants are possible as the investigation continues.
The department thanked multiple agencies for their assistance, including the Elk River Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, Nebraska State Patrol, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Attorney’s Office, Johnson County (Kansas) Sheriff’s Office, Sarasota County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, and Minnesota law enforcement agencies.
Authorities have not released additional information about the alleged victim or specific circumstances of the case due to the ongoing investigation.
Anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect can contact the Nebraska Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-652-1999.
