Charles Benfield: NC marine goes missing after being detained for public intoxication, Internet says 'he was afraid of losing rank'

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: Charles Alex Benfield, a missing Camp Pendleton Marine Corporal, is being sought by a family in North Carolina.

Benfield was arrested for public intoxication on Saturday, April 13, while he was out in downtown San Diego. On Sunday, April 14, he was released from the McAlister Institute Recovery and Bridge Center.

Marines' director confirmed that Charles Benfield was detained

Sarah Lazo, Benfield’s sister explained what the front desk of the institute reported to the authorities.

“He was saying how he was scared, he was going to lose his rank because they had to meet that following morning at 8 a.m., which he had obviously missed. He said he needed to find his phone, so he was going to go search for that,” she said.

“We’re all worried. This isn’t normal behavior for Alex, just to leave and not to have any contact with anyone, especially my mom,” added Lazo, Fox5 reported.

In a statement, the Marines' director of communications said, “Cpl. Charles Benfield, a field artillery cannoneer assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, did not report for duty the morning of April 15 following weekend liberty in the San Diego area."

The statement further stated, "The 15th MEU is aware that Cpl. Benfield was detained by San Diego police April 14 and released later that day. Once 15th MEU was made aware of his release, marines from cpl. Benfield’s unit searched the downtown San Diego area to try locate him."

"The safety and accountability of our Marines and sailors is a top priority. The 15th MEU has requested the assistance of the naval criminal investigative service and will continue to attempt to locate Cpl. Benfield to ensure his wellbeing,” the director went on to say.

Charles Benfield's family claims 'no money left' in his bank account

Although Alex is on active duty and under investigation by NCIS, according to Benfield's family, San Diego police are unable to declare him missing. Despite this, the family continues to post their own missing posters on social media.

“I can understand him being scared to show up after missing a meet, but to completely fall off the face of the earth basically is unlike him at all,” Lazo said.

They claim that Benfield enjoyed his work and that he recently reenlisted in the Marines for a further four years, so they find it hard to believe that he would decide to forgo his responsibilities.

Benfield's phone is dead, according to Lazo, but it last rang at the San Diego Police Department. His financial dealings are also giving rise to more suspicions.

“We were able to find out that his bank has been cleared out. There was no money left in it. There were several big amounts of money taken out at different ATMs,” Lazo added.

In the end, they hope that by speaking up, they will be one step closer to realizing that their loved one is secure. The family has made calls to lodging facilities, medical examiner, and hospitals.

Internet is 'praying he comes back'

As soon as the news of Benfield going missing went viral on Facebook, several social media users reacted. A user wrote, "I just think he was scared about what would happen to him. Hopefully he just took a break from everybody."

Another one added a suggestion in the comments section, "Better check cameras at those ATM’s"

One commentator wrote, "I wonder if he went A-wall if he was afraid of loosing his rank. Sometime military punishment is worse that going to jail. Especially in the Marine corps . He may have decided to run instead of facing his officers in command. Hopefully they find him."

The comment further read, "Will give the family something. My sons served one in the marines and one in the National guard they both were deployed they are out now. But I've Marine stories from my one son about what goes on if you mess up. I know his Momma is worried and scared. I hope they find him."

"Public intoxication is just a misdemeanor, it's not even close to a DUI. I wouldn't see cause to go AWOL! Hopefully he understands this. 🙏 praying he comes back and just faces the consequences," one person wrote hopefully.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.