06/27/2009

Associated Press

The Athena City Council has placed a police officer charged with sex crimes on paid administrative leave.

Officer Mark Benton Ashcraft has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex abuse, sodomy and online sexual corruption of a child.

The East Oregonian reported the city council met for nearly an hour in executive session Friday before voting unanimously to place the 36-year-old Ashcraft on paid leave.

Ashcraft makes about $4,100 a month as an Athena city police officer. The paid leave will mean his wife and four children will receive an income and health insurance benefits.

Ashcraft was moved from the Umatilla County Jail in Pendleton to the Malheur County Jail in Vale for his protection. His bail was set at $62,500.

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Information from: East Oregonian, http://www.eastoregonian.info