A South Texas judicial candidate has been accused of forcing several women he represented to have sex with him in exchange for legal services.
Attorney Mark H. Benavides of San Antonio was arrested Tuesday on a charge of compelling prostitution, then freed on $15,000 bond.
The 46-year-old Benavides denies the allegations. He's running for the Democratic nomination for 175th Criminal District Court in Bexar County.
Investigators say the alleged sexual encounters happened in motels, the attorney's office, vehicles and a courthouse.
An arrest warrant affidavit says one victim said she had sex with Benavides in a jury room, saying she felt compelled to do so it would not affect representation in her pending criminal case.
The affidavit says at least one of the women had been a prostitute.
