Marine Corporal Charles Alex Benfield, who was reported missing from Camp Pendleton in Southern California last week, has been found. Before disappearing, Benfield had been detained for public intoxication in downtown San Diego and was released from the McAlister Institute Recovery and Bridge Center on Sunday, April 14.
According to Sarah Lazo, Benfield’s sister, staff at the center informed authorities about their last interaction with him. Lazo mentioned that Benfield expressed fear of losing his rank for missing a mandatory meeting on the morning of April 15 and mentioned needing to find his phone before leaving.
Subsequently, a spokesperson for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, to which Benfield is assigned, stated that he failed to report for duty on April 15 after a weekend of liberty in San Diego. The Marine Corps sought assistance from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) due to Benfield’s active duty status.
An update on April 24 confirmed that law enforcement successfully contacted Benfield on April 20, and he was reported safe, no longer considered missing. Further details were not disclosed. FOX 5/KUSI has reached out to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton for comment.