George Benton (Source: Angelina County Jail)LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) -
A psychologist has determined a Lufkin man charged in federal court for dealing PCP is competent to stand trial.
A grand jury indicted Benton in June on charges of possession with the
intent to distribute phencyclidine and possession of a firearm during
and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
A federal judge ordered a psychiatric exam to determine if Benton was suffering from a mental disease and a psychologist evaluated him from Sept. 28 to Oct. 26, according to federal court documents.
Benton is scheduled for trial on Jan. 3. He has until Dec. 13 to file a motion for continuance.
Deputies with the Nacogdoches County
Sheriff's Office arrested Benton Nov. 1, 2011, after he allegedly wrecked
into the back of an 18-wheeler on US 59 South, then tried to run away
from the scene and fought with deputies when they caught up to him.
The deputies found Benton to be in possession of PCP and found the gun in his vehicle, Sheriff Thomas Kerss said.
If convicted, Benton faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
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