Fourth man pleads in Union Twp. home invasion

James Benton, contributed photo

James Benton, contributed photo

TROY – The fourth of five men indicted in a Union Twp. home invasion during which shots were fired pleaded guilty to felony indictments Monday, May 8, in Miami County Common Pleas Court.

James Benton, 24, whose address is listed as at large and the county jail, pleaded to one count each of aggravated burglary with a gun specification, conspiracy to aggravated burglary and felonious assault. He will be sentenced July 17.

Benton was among five men arrested in the September invasion of a North Montgomery County Line Road residence in which shots were fired by the intruders and home owner, investigating sheriff’s deputies said.

One of the men, Keason Twitty, 25, of Dayton was injured seriously during the incident. He has pleaded guilty to felony charges along with Kristian Martinez, 23, of Phillipsburg and Corey Dixon, 18, of Englewood. None of the defendants have been sentenced.

Charges are pending against the fifth man, Eric Santos, 21, of Trotwood. He has pleaded not guilty and filed a motion to suppress his identification to investigators by two co-defendants in the case. The challenge involves a photo used during the questioning of the other then suspects. Judge Jeannine Pratt heard testimony in that challenge April 28. A decision is pending.

Investigators said they believed the home invasion was narcotics-related. The homeowner has not been charged in the shooting.

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