An Alaska State Trooper was arrested on Wednesday in Soldotna for multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor, said the Department of Public Safety commissioner James Cockrell in a news conference. (Juneau Empire File)

An Alaska State Trooper was arrested on Wednesday in Soldotna for multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor, said the Department of Public Safety commissioner James Cockrell in a news conference. (Juneau Empire File)

State trooper arrested on child sex abuse charges

The suspect has been a trooper for two years.

An Alaska State Trooper was arrested Wednesday in Soldotna on multiple charges of sexual abuse of a minor, state officials said.

Benjamin Strachan, 39, was arrested on charges of six counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor and one count of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

“As a 29-year Alaska State Trooper I am saddened and sickened by these allegations against a law enforcement officer,” said Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell in a news release. “The public places immense trust into its police officers and state troopers, and the actions of a single trooper have now tarnished that trust and the badge that hundreds of brave men and women wear each day across our great state.”

[Experts urge flu shots ASAP]

The Kenai Police Department notified troopers of an allegation against Strachan on Oct. 9, 2021, according to the public safety department. Investigators began looking into the allegations and found probable cause that Strachan abused multiple victims within the last year.

Col. Bryan Barlow, director of the Alaska State Troopers, said the investigation is just beginning.

“We would like to acknowledge the victim for having the bravery to come forward and bring these allegations to law enforcement,” Barlow said. “Today we are making these allegations and this arrest public to ensure that Alaskans have faith in the criminal justice process, and that they understand that we will hold anyone, regardless of their job or status in our society, that victimizes Alaskans accountable.”

Cockrell said Strachan has been a trooper for about two years, and is not known to have prior law enforcement experiences, and that there were no indicators of behavior similar to the allegations during Strachan’s background check on entry to the troopers. Barlow said that he couldn’t comment on whether law enforcement officials expected more victims to come forward, but that the investigation had just begun.

Strachan will be arraigned in Kenai Superior Court on Thursday morning. Strachan is currently on administrative leave, said Austin McDaniel, acting communications director for the troopers.

Those who believe they may have been a victim or have more information about Strachan’s alleged activities are asked to call the troopers in Soldotna at (907) 262-4453.

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

More in News

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Ships in Port for the Week of May 28

Here’s what to expect this week.

File Photo
Police calls for Saturday, May 27

This report contains information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy for an increase in the state’s flat funding via the base student allocation, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. A one-time funding increase was approved during this year’s legislative session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
What’s next for the most debated bills pending in the Legislature?

Education funding increase, “parental rights” and other proposals will resurface next year.

Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Police investigate assault in Lemon Creek area

“JPD does not believe there is any danger to the public at large.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Feb. 24, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. DeSantis has filed a declaration of candidacy for president, entering the 2024 race as Donald Trump’s top GOP rival (AP Photo / John Raoux)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launches 2024 GOP presidential campaign to challenge Trump

Decision revealed in FEC filing before an online conversation with Twitter CEO Elon Musk.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Wednesday, May 23, 2023

This report contains information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

A channel flows through the mud flats along the Seward Highway and Turnagain Arm in Alaska on Oct. 25, 2014. Authorities said, a 20-year-old man from Illinois who was walking Sunday evening, May 21, 2023, on tidal mud flats with friends in an Alaska estuary, got stuck up to his waist in the quicksand-like silt and drowned as the tide came in before frantic rescuers could extract him.  (Bob Hallinen / Anchorage Daily News)
Illinois man gets stuck waist-deep in Alaska mud flats, drowns as tide comes in

“…It’s Mother Nature, and she has no mercy for humanity.”

Most Read