Two Charged with Drugs, Sex Assault
by Ben Hogwood

HYDE PARK - Two Eden men were arraigned for allegedly furnishing drugs
and alcohol and committing sexual assault on two minors, on Monday,
August 23.
According to court papers, Mark Benjamin, 24, and Matthew Demar, 25,
invited two teenage females to their house on several occasions, where
they drank alochol, smoked marijuana and snorted crushed pills,
including Oxycontin.
Both Benjamin and Demar have previous charges of sexual assault. The
affidavit states Benjamin was charged with aggravated sexual assault and
kidnapping in 2003 and charged with sexual assault on a victim less than
10 years old in 2004. Both charges came out of Orleans County. Demar was
convicted of sexual assault of a victim 16 years of age last year and
sentenced to 17 months to five years, all suspended. Conditions of his
release included not engaging in sexual intercourse with anyone under
the age of 18 or being alone with a child under the age of 18. They are
both registered for life in the Vermont sex offender registry.
Benjamin and Demar were living together at the time of the incidents.
During a search of the residence, on White Road in Eden, state police
found possible evidence of heroin. Benjamin told police that Demar has a
serious problem with the drug.
Demar and Benjamin were held without bail and taken to St. Johnsbury.
They will return to the Lamoille County Courthouse for a probation
hearing on September 20