Florida Man, 54, Arrested For Alleged Abusive Exorcism Of 80-Year-Old Girlfriend

We have yet another bizarre case out of the Land O’ Lakes jail in Pasco County. David Edward Benes is under arrest for reportedly restraining and abusing his 80-year-old girlfriend in an effort to “exorcise her and the get the devil out of her.” What is interesting is that, given the age of his girlfriend, Benes is looking at the enhanced charge of domestic battery on a person older than 65 as well as tampering with a witness and false imprisonment.

The false imprisonment charge reflects the allegation that Benes removed the batteries out of his octogenarian girlfriend’s cellphone and took her car keys. Yet, she was found crying outside so it is not clear how long the confinement occurred to qualify as false imprisonment. She was found with scratches on her arms and he was found drunk.

It is not clear if he will argue consent for a religious rite, even though he is at best an amateur exorcist. Moreover, questions of consent could be clouded by question of competence given the age of his girlfriend.

Source: Tampa Bay