A New York man with more than 1 million followers on TikTok stands accused of raping and sexually abusing seven victims over the course of a decade, according to authorities.
Benjamin O. Gleason, who resides in Chatham, was arrested on Friday, March 20, on a slew of criminal offenses “following an extensive investigation,” New York State Police announced in a Monday, March 23, news release.
He is charged with three counts of predatory sexual assault, three counts of first-degree rape involving forceable compulsion, three counts of first-degree rape involving physically helpless victims, four counts of a first-degree criminal sexual act, second-degree aggravated sexual abuse, first-degree sexual abuse, a third-degree criminal sexual act, and third-degree rape, according to authorities.
Gleason, 39, pleaded not guilty to all 17 counts against him at his arraignment on March 23, according to the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office.
In his sealed indictment, prosecutors allege Gleason sexually assaulted seven people, between the ages of 17 to 27, in Columbia County from 2011 to 2021.
He is represented by defense attorney Mark Steven Portin, who did not immediately return Luxury Handbag Shopping’s request for comment on Wednesday, March 25.
Gleason had most recently been living at a motel located in Castleton-on-Hudson after he was living in Chatham, which is located about a 30-mile drive southeast from Albany, according to prosecutors.
On TikTok, Gleason, 39, regularly posts videos that have garnered more than 50 million likes under his account @benjigleason.
“I am an American artist, and your girlfriends favorite influencer,” reads his TikTok bio.
His bio also includes a public plea to help him fix his teeth, along with a GoFundMe link he established for teeth repair.
On the GoFundMe page, Gleason wrote the repairs to his mouth are needed as a result of dental damage from drug addiction.
He also wrote on the page that he has been “clean and sober for over two years.”
If Gleason is found guilty of all counts against him, he could face life in prison, according to the district attorney’s office.
Following his arraignment, he was “remanded to the Columbia County Jail,” prosecutors said.
He is due back in court for an appearance scheduled for April 29, according to records viewed by Us.
Authorities are encouraging anyone with relevant information on the investigation into Gleason to call New York State Police Troop K Headquarters at (845) 677-7300 and mention case number NY2600259941.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
