LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) – Christopher Wilson Bennett, a former Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Deputy, has pleaded guilty to sexual abuse in the first degree and will be required to register as a sex offender for life.
Bennett’s guilty plea resolved an indictment returned by a Greenbrier County Grand Jury on June 4, 2024, which initially charged him with two felony counts of Sexual Abuse by a Parent, Guardian, Custodian, or Person in a Position of Trust in Relation to a Child. The indictment stemmed from an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct.
Because of a conflict of interest, Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Justin St. Clair served as Special Prosecuting Attorney for the case. The plea agreement reduced the charges to a single count of first-degree sexual abuse.
Under the agreement, Bennett will serve five years of supervised probation, followed by 10 years of extended supervision by a probation officer. He was also advised that violating the terms of his probation could result in a prison sentence of one to five years and a fine of up to $10,000.
The Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office addressed the investigation in a statement saying, “This case has profoundly impacted our community, and we are committed to transparency, accountability, and justice.”
According to the statement, “Beginning in December 2023, Christopher W. Bennett, a former member of this agency, was investigated by the West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources regarding allegations of sexual assault and abuse. Upon learning of the allegations, the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office immediately placed Bennett on administrative leave to ensure the integrity of the investigation and the safety of the community. The sheriff’s office then launched a separate internal investigation leading to Bennett’s resignation from the sheriff’s office in January 2024.”
The document goes on to say, “While cooperating with investigators, the investigation was conducted by external agencies rather than the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office to avoid any conflict of interest. The investigation resulted in criminal charges against Bennett. On January 3, 2025, Bennett entered a guilty plea in Greenbrier County Circuit Court to charges of first-degree sexual abuse. Bennett’s actions violate the principles of integrity, trust, and service that this office holds as its highest values.
“The actions of Christopher W Bennett are reprehensible and do not reflect the values of the Greenbrier County Sherif.l’s Office or the dedicated deputies who serve this community with honor and professionalism every day. We will not tolerate that behavior in Greenbrier County. Our thoughts remain with the victim and their family, and we extend our deepest sympathies during this difficult time. The safety and well-being of our citizens are our utmost priority, and we remain committed to ensuring accountability at all levels. “
In an effort to improve the department as a whole, the statement says, “The Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a thorough review of internal policies and procedures to ensure that incidents of this nature are prevented in the future. Additional training and oversight measures are being implemented to reinforce the ethical standards expected of all personnel.”
To conclude, the statement says, “The Sheriff’s Office thanks the West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources for their diligence and commitment to justice.
“We acknowledge the courage of the victim in coming forward and encourage anyone in need of assistance or support to contact local resources, including the WV Department of Health and Human Resources, Child Youth Advocacy Center, and Family Refuge Center.”
