Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. Prosecutors said Benavides' conviction has tainted some 5,000 cases and convictions he was involved in. Benavides was first arrested in November 2015, charged with compelling prostitution from at least nine female clients. He still faces a possible charge for aggravated assault with severe bodily injury. He is now treatable.. Benavides accusers testified during the first phase of the trial that Benavides would take them to a motel and record videos of those encounters. Shes pleased that the conviction is now off her record, thanks to the DAs and public defenders offices. Investigators seized 246 mini DVDs that contained hundreds of videos of Benavides and the former clients engaged in various sex acts, in which he could be heard directing the women and telling them what to do and say. He wanted to meet up.. She claims he would pick her up at her home and take her to the River Inn Motel downtown on Guadalupe and South Frio streets. Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons and faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. The trial started last week and included testimony from all six accusers. Man cleared in River Walk death: A judge issued a ruling Thursday, March 8, 2018, that prevented a manslaughter trial of Mark Daniel Lewis (left), accused of causing transgender woman Kenne McFadden to drown along the River Walk last year. But Benavides said he believed the encounters were consensual and testified that trading sex in exchange for legal services was never discussed. The jury found him guilty of crimes, not cheating.. Former clients who were victimized by him are asked to call Morales at 210-335-0701. The next day, employees discovered her body missing from a damaged casket. A now 51-year-old woman was arrested in 2013 on a DWI charge and hired Mark Benavides as her attorney. Benavides will have to serve 30 years before becoming eligible for parole. Each case is expected to be tried separately. District Judge Dick Alcala noticed that the jurors were looking distraught so he ordered a break. Earlier, his wife told the jury deciding his punishment to be fair because he does not deserve this.. Mark Henry Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons for having sex with clients he represented on prostitution or drug cases. She was charged with possession of marijuana when police found the drug in a car she was riding in but she didn't have it on her person. Officials said the women were. ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863. Read more of her stories here. He did. Several additional indictments have been added since. More: Urestis alleged ex-mistress admits to relationship with his business partner. She was arrested in 2013 for DWI; he insisted she plead guilty even though she said she was innocent. Marisol Morales is a case manager with the Bexar County Public Defender's Office working with victims of now-disbarred attorney Mark Benavides. The woman in the video later explained to the court that she felt she had to sleep with her lawyer because 'he said he would help me get my son back.'. }] Benavides was arrested in November 2015 while he was running for Bexar County District judge, and was indicted in April 2016. Elizabeth Zavala covers county and state courts in San Antonio. Steege said he had not. She claims he forced her to have anal sex. Heres what you need to know. Defense expert Mark Steege, a sex therapist who testified he has treated hundreds of sex offenders in 35 years, said he evaluated Benavides in April 2017. Steege said he saw a dramatic change in Benavides, from arrogant and entitled when they first met, to humble and treatable. More: Man accused in death of trans woman wont face trial. Under cross-examination, Norton asked Steege whether he reviewed police reports and videos Benavides took of sexual encounters with his clients. Prosecutor Michelle Chacon questioned the victim, who explained that she had sex with Benavides in July 2014 for her bond on the day he became her court-appointed attorney. But he's a good person. Mark Henry Benavides was immediately taken into custody Tuesday night in Floresville, where the trial was heard. So, I did.. In a video played in court that only the jury could see, the woman could be heard crying, Mark, it hurts! She later was excused and an alternate was seated. Fridays ruling came amid a highly publicized trial that had to be moved to Floresville at the request of Benavides attorneys, who claimed that the case received too much publicity in San Antonio for him to get a fair trial. It was a case that rattled San Antonio. She was later excused and replaced with an alternate. Mark Henry Benavides will have to serve at least 30 years before he is eligible for parole. I looked at you three times, sir, and you were asleep, Norton told Steege. 'Sometimes he would ask me my name, how old I was, and ask, 'What are you going to do?' He paid more attention; we spent a lot more time with the kids, she told the court. In this2018 file photo he sits in Judge Dick Alcalas courtroom to address his other pending. They found him guilty of force, fraud and coercion, Norton said. What I saw yesterday (in Benavides testimony) was a totally different man. } View Non-AMP Version Copyright 2017 JDJOURNAL, Disbarred San Antonio Attorney Mark Benavides Trial Delayed, San Antonio Lawyer Compelled Clients for Sex, Woman Says She Traded Sex for Legal Services, Disney Star, Caroline Sunshine, Joins White House as a Press Assistant , East Palestine Train Derailment Draws Lawyers: Information Sessions and Client Sign-Ups Increase, Prosecutors Highlight Ex-Lawyer Murdaughs Financial Misdeeds and Inconsistencies in Murder Trial Cross-Examination, Consovoys Boutique Law Firm Returns to Supreme Court in Student Loan Lawsuit. Benavides, 50, was convicted in 2018 of six counts of human trafficking and coercing his clients to have sex with him. 2014 - 2023 Marathi.TV - All Rights Reserved. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. Mark married Olivia Perez on month day 2001, at age 30 at marriage place, Texas. She was convicted of the DUI charge and was sentenced to two years probation, which she completed in 2016. In the end, she had to hire another lawyer, because Benavides was behind bars by the time her case came up. Uresti divorce: A week after state Sen. Carlos Urestis conviction in a salacious trial that included vivid testimony about him carrying on an extramarital relationship, his wife filed for divorce. At first, Benavides would text or call her when he was lonely or bored, she said. SAN ANTONIO Former attorney Mark Benavides has been sentenced to 80 years for six counts of continuing trafficking of persons. Six women he had represented in prostitution or drug cases testified he coerced them into having sex to keep them out of jail or lessen their legal troubles, and videotaped the encounters, which were shown to the jury. Mark Benavides was scheduled to appear . San Antonio teen beating: A San Antonio 16-year-old who refused an arranged marriage endured six months of beatings at the hands of her parents before running away from her San Antonio home, according to court documents. His kids love him so much, she told the jury through tears. Your email address will not be published. Texas ranch that's half the size of Rhode Island still S.A. developer buys hotel property near Market Square, UTSA, TaskUs swings to profit as it continues growing globally, Murder charge dropped in S.A. toddlers drive-by death, Strong storms ahead of cold front to bring severe weather risk, As avian flu endures, Texas farmers try to protect flocks. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. Lleanna Uresti cited adultery among the reasons for seeking to end the couples nearly six-year union, according to the petition filed March 2, 2018. Uresti divorce: A week after state Sen. Carlos Urestis conviction in a salacious trial that included vivid testimony about him carrying on an extramarital relationship, his wife filed for divorce. Former attorney Mark Benavides enters the courtroom of Judge Dick Alcala on Friday during the punishment phase of his trial in Floresville. When Norton asked if he saw a change in Benavides from his testimony, Steege said he did. He said he made amends to his family, and what does his wife tell you? Benavides had sex with women he represented in criminal cases, according to an arrest warrant affidavit following an investigation by the Bexar County District Attorney's Office and the San. The woman said that, eventually, Benavides stopped talking to her about her drug case except to urge her to plead guilty. The latest indictment is the fifth open case against Benavides. Animal sacrifice unveiled at San Antonio home: He paid more attention; we spent a lot more time with the kids, she told the court. His sentences will run concurrently, and he will be eligible for parole in 30 years. View the profiles of professionals named "Mark Benavides" on LinkedIn. Mark Steege, a sex therapist, testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of Mark Benavides in Floresville. It was important for us to correct a wrong from someone in our bar.. Former San Antonio attorney Mark Benvides sits in the 186th District Court in this March 23, 2017, photo. I thought I was alone. Benavides attorneys declined to comment on the verdict or sentencing. To read more from Elizabeth, become a subscriber. Youre hurting me. Anyone who feels they were forced to take a plea deal by Benavides is urged to contact the Bexar County Public Defenders Office at 210-504-6216. The former attorney faces two charges of sexual assault of a child, one charge of sexual assault and another charge of continuous trafficking of persons, according to court records. Linda Benavides, who is the wife of Mark Benavides, receives his belt and necktie Friday from a sheriffs deputy after he was sentenced to 80 years as punishment after being convicted for continuous trafficking of persons. Read more of her stories here. The woman who had been charged with drug possession encouraged victims to make that call. Linda Benavides testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of her husband, Mark Benavides, in Floresville. Julie Mott trail: A jury awarded Sharlotte and Timothy Mott $8 million on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 after they found Mission Park Funeral Chapels and Cemeteries negligent in the loss of their daughters body. Reyes survived for two weeks before being pronounced dead. "I'm so sorry. Elizabeth Zavala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. 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