Former Meridian Police Officer Royric “Roy” Benamon, 27, is staring down federal charges after being indicted on two counts of extortion under color of official right, a crime that turns a badge into a weapon for personal profit. The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury on July 28, 2020, and unsealed today, alleges Benamon used his authority to shake down two drivers in the dead of night — not for justice, but for cash.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, then-Officer Benamon pulled over two motorists in separate incidents in April 2020 in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. Instead of writing tickets for traffic violations, he pocketed cash payments to let them walk away free. The scheme unraveled quickly. Once the incidents became public, Benamon resigned from the Meridian Police Department without delay — a move that didn’t stop federal prosecutors from moving in.
Arrested Wednesday without resistance by FBI agents and task force officers, Benamon appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson in Jackson for arraignment. The court released him on bond with strict conditions, including a direct order: no violations of federal or state law while awaiting trial. The message was clear — his freedom hangs by a thread.
“Fighting public corruption is a top priority of this office,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst. “Our society is undermined when those in positions of power become corrupted and abuse the public trust for personal gain.” Hurst pledged relentless pursuit of officials who betray their oaths — a promise that now lands squarely on Benamon’s doorstep.
Trial is set for October 5, 2020, before Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan, III, in Jackson. If convicted on either count of extortion under color of official right, Benamon faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 per count. Two counts mean double the exposure — a potential 40-year sentence for betraying the badge.
The case was investigated by FBI agents from the Jackson Division with support from the Mississippi Attorney General’s office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore Cooperstein. One thing remains clear: no matter the outcome, the damage is done. Public trust erodes one crooked cop at a time. The government reminds the public that an indictment is not proof of guilt — but the stench of corruption lingers all the same.
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Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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