The Bennington Police Department has released additional information about the multi-state investigation that led to the arrests of four people over the past week, saying investigators believe there are no other victims or suspects connected to the case at this time.
According to police, the investigation began approximately seven months ago after the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services notified the department of a report involving the alleged sexual assault of a child. The investigation ultimately resulted in four felony arrest warrants and involved assistance from numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Police allege the child was sexually assaulted over a period of four years.
The first arrests came on June 28, when Bennington residents Joseph Michael Thomas Bruce, 39, and Lindsey Kay Smith, 39, were taken into custody on warrants issued by the Douglas County District Court. Authorities allege the couple attempted to conceal the abuse after learning about it.
According to investigators, Bruce and Smith told the alleged victim they could either report the abuse to law enforcement and potentially testify in court or accept more than $100,000 from the alleged abuser as a way to help the victim heal. Police allege those actions interfered with the investigation.
Bruce and Smith later appeared in Douglas County Court, where they were charged with child abuse, tampering with a witness and accessory to a felony for allegedly hindering the investigation. Each remains held on a $2 million bond.
Investigators also arrested 34-year-old Alec Jones on June 30 in Elk River, Minnesota, with assistance from the Elk River Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. Jones remains in the Sherburne County Jail awaiting extradition to Nebraska, where he faces charges including first-degree sexual assault of a child, third-degree sexual assault of a child and witness tampering.
A fourth arrest followed on July 1, when 54-year-old Sharon Jones, also known as Sharon Hoffman, was booked into the Douglas County Jail on a felony witness tampering charge. Police allege Jones agreed to provide more than $100,000 to Bruce and Smith in connection with the alleged crimes committed by her son, Alec Jones. Court records show she has since posted a $150,000 bond and was released from custody.
Police said the investigation has not identified any additional victims or suspects.
Anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect is encouraged to contact local law enforcement or the Nebraska Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-652-1999.
