Missing Camp Pendleton Marine Found Safe After Not Reporting For Duty

CAMP PENDLETON, CA — A Camp Pendleton Marine was found safe after not reporting for duty last week, a military official said Monday.

Cpl. Charles "Alex" Benfield was reported missing April 15 after failing to report for duty following weekend liberty in the San Diego area, according to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

Benfield was contacted by law enforcement Saturday evening, Capt. Brian Tuthill, the communication strategy and operations director for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit confirmed to Patch. He initially reported that Benfield was found Sunday.

"Benfield was reported to be safe and is no longer considered a missing person," Tuthill said.

"He was contacted in person by a law enforcement officer and they determined that he is safe," Tuthill further told Patch in an interview Tuesday. "Because of that encounter, law enforcement took him off of their missing persons database."

Naval Criminal Investigative Service confirmed with Patch on Wednesday that Benfield "is no longer considered a missing person."

Tuthill noted that Benfield was not detained during his contact with law enforcement. No warrant was issued for his arrest.

Benfield is a field artillery cannoneer assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Battalion Landing Team 1/5. He was detained by the San Diego Police Department on April 14 for public intoxication and released later that day, Tuthill said.

Marines from Benfield's unit searched downtown San Diego for nearly eight hours to find him, Tuthill said.

Since being contacted, Benfield has not returned to his unit, Tuthill said. He was placed on unauthorized absence status.

"We will not speculate on any potential administrative or disciplinary actions related to his absence," he said.

The incident remains under investigation.

"I'm sure the family is worried," Tuthill said.

Tuthill expressed the military's appreciation for the community's concern for Benfield.

"We sincerely appreciate the public's outpouring of concern for this Marine and his family, especially from the San Diego community," he said. "The Marine Corps deeply values its strong relationships with our local communities."