Ex-jailer faces new problems

Kim Smith

Monday, Aug. 6, 2001 | 10:28 a.m.

A former corrections officer accused of engaging in sexual misconduct with female inmates will have to come up with another $40,000 to gain his freedom.

District Judge Mark Gibbons increased Mark Bennish's bail from $10,000 to $50,000 Friday after learning that Bennish was arrested a second time since the sexual misconduct allegations were made.

Bennish was out of jail on his own recognizance in the sex case when he was arrested in May for violating the terms of his release because he allegedly impersonated a police officer.

Gibbons set bail at $10,000 and placed Bennish on house arrest after a hearing in July.

Two weeks later, however, Bennish was again arrested after his probation officers found firearms, ammunition, liquor and Metro Police uniforms in his residence.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Doug Herndon asked Gibbons to increase Bennish's bail to $100,000 saying that Bennish is clearly a threat to the public.

Bennish told Gibbons that he gave Metro everything that belonged to the department. He purchased the other items, he said. What's more, Bennish said, that no one told him there was anything wrong with him owning the uniforms when they inspected his house during his first day on house arrest.