Investigation from the Washington County Sheriff's Office

The Washington County Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation into allegations of the sexual assault of a child. As a result of the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued on July 6, 2026, for Mark Crawford, DOB 12/20/1980, of Bennington, Nebraska. Crawford has been charged with:

• Child Abuse – Intentional, No Serious Bodily Injury, a Class IIIA Felony; and

• Sexual Assault of a Child in the Third Degree, a Class IIIA Felony.

Crawford was arrested by the Bennington Police Department on July 6, 2026, in Bennington.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office thanks the Bennington Police Department for its assistance with

this investigation. As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.