El fiscal Leandro Benegas fue detenido e imputado por abuso sexual en Vera. Ahora la Cámara Penal ordenó su liberación bajo normas de conducta
A provincial appeals court has revoked the pretrial detention of Vera prosecutor Leandro Benegas, who remains suspended while under investigation for alleged sexual crimes. The Criminal Chamber ordered alternative, non-custodial measures, including a ban on leaving the country.
Benegas was detained in mid-March after being formally charged a month earlier with repeated offenses against a young woman dating back to when she was a teenager. According to the case as reported, prosecutors accuse him of rape (sexual abuse with penetration) and of promoting the corruption of minors under aggravating circumstances involving intimidation or coercion.
The complaint alleges the events occurred when Benegas worked as a municipal official in Vera and the victim was the daughter of a man who worked under his authority.
Appeal cited procedural defects; strict conduct rules imposed
At the time of the initial charging stage, Benegas reportedly held judicial immunity, which prevented the immediate preventive detention requested by the private accuser representing the victim. After his suspension, a March 13 hearing ordered pretrial detention and he was taken into custody.
The defense appealed that precautionary measure, and a second-instance hearing was held in Vera’s provincial courts. Appellate judge Fernando Gentile Barsano found partial invalidity in the hearing that imposed pretrial detention, revoked the measure, and replaced it with restrictions aimed at ensuring the defendant remains subject to the court.
The charges remain in place as filed by prosecutors Adrián Spelta, Luciana Escobar Cello, and Matías Broggi. The court ordered multiple conduct rules, including a requirement to fix a legal address, a ban on contacting victims or witnesses, and a travel ban.
A prosecutor involved in the case said the measures imposed were sufficient to neutralize procedural risk while the investigation continues. Benegas remains suspended from his position.
