January 11, 2013

VSU Police Department Update

Update Jan. 11,  2013

News Release from Georgia Bureau of Investigation:

Arrest made of Darien Meheux in Ellaville, Schley County, GA.

On Thursday, January 10, 2013, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Darien Joseph Meheux, 18 years of age, from Lawrenceville, Georiga was arrested at the Schley County Sheriff's Office in Ellaville, Georgia. Meheux turned himself into the sheriff's office after being made aware of a murder warrant which had been taken for him for the death of Jasmine Benjamin. Officers with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Valdosta State University Police Department, Valdosta Police Department and Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office conducted a search for Meheux in Gwinnett County but then Meheux surfaced in Ellaville.

Benjamin was found dead on the Valdosta State University campus in Georgia Hall on November 17, 2012. The cause of death was asphyxiation. Meheux's arrest was the result of an extensive homicide investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Valdosta State University Police Department and the Valdosta Police Department.

The investigation into this matter by the GBI's Regional Office in Thomasville continues.

PER GBI SAC STEVEN TURNER: Contact number 229-225-4090. 

 

Update Nov. 29, 2012
The investigation into the death of Jasmine Benjamin is ongoing. The Valdosta State University Police Department, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Valdosta Police Department continue to interview individuals and request that anyone who may have information in this case to call the Valdosta State Police Department at 229-333-7816 or the Valdosta Police Department Crime Tip Line at 229-293-3091. Callers may remain anonymous if they wish.

Please continue to check this website for updates.

Update Nov. 27, 2012
The Valdosta State University Police, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Valdosta Police Department continues to conduct a joint criminal investigation into the death of 17-year-old Jasmine Benjamin. The investigation is being treated as a homicide and investigators and agents with all three agencies are still interviewing individuals, collecting evidence, and ensuring evidence is being analyzed. Since the investigation is active and ongoing, no additional information is being released at this time. Anyone who may have information in this case should call the Valdosta State University Police Department at 229-333-7816 or the Valdosta Police Department Crime Tip Line at 229-293-3091. Callers may remain anonymous if they wish.

Update Nov. 25, 2012
Valdosta State is continuing to work with law enforcement agencies in their ongoing investigation into the death of Jasmine Benjamin. 

Valdosta State’s primary goal is the continued safety of the campus community. Valdosta State’s Clery Act statistics are posted on the university’s website under University Police. http://ww2.valdosta.edu/finadmin/vsupd/crimestats.shtml.

If you have information regarding this investigation, please contact the Valdosta State Police Department at 229-333-7816. Professional counselors are available to Valdosta State students in Powell Hall or call 229-333-5940.

Please continue to check this website for updates.


Update Nov. 20, 2012 (revised statement posted 4:15 p.m.)
On Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012 Valdosta State University police officers responded to a call at Georgia Hall regarding a female, later identified as 17-year-old Jasmine C. Benjamin, being unresponsive. Benjamin was later pronounced deceased by the Lowndes County coroner. The VSU Police Department requested the assistance of the Valdosta Police Department Detective Bureau and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation(GBI) to conduct a thorough investigation. Based on new information received from the medical examiner during the course of the preliminary investigation, this is now an active criminal investigation until the cause of death has been confirmed and because the case is still active, limited information can be released at this time. Everyone in the community is encouraged to continue to be vigilant about their own security and safety and that of others. Anyone who has information pertaining to this case is requested to immediately contact the VSU Police Department at 229-333-7816

Update Nov. 19, 2012
The VSU Police Department continues to investigate the cause of death of student Jasmine C. Benjamin. As part of that investigation, the VSU Police Department has requested the assistance and the additional resources of the Valdosta City Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

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