Ben Clifford Dawson, 83-Year-Old Centerville, Iowa Man Arrested For Alleged Prostitution

If you're a politician, you're never too old for a sex scandal

On Tuesday, police arrested Ben Clifford Dawson, an 83-year-old candidate eying a seat on the Centerville, Iowa, city council, for alleged prostitution, according to TV station KTVO.
He's no gigolo, but he's in trouble.

Dawson, allegedly told Melissa Drew that he'd shave some money off her debt to him if he could perform unspecified sexual acts on her, a police report said.

Dawson made the offer several times after he loaned her several thousand dollars in June, Chief of Police Tom Demry said to HuffPost. At the time of the original transaction, Drew says Dawson grabbed her and kissed her neck, station KCCI says.

Prostitution is a misdemeanor and Demry told The Huffington Post that the law dosen't distinguish between johns and hookers.

A 10-day investigation by the Centerville police department led to charges of prostitution and intent to commit sexual abuse against Dawson, who was freed after posting $2,000 bond.

It's unclear how the arrest will affect Dawson's odds of getting a seat on the five-person city council. The election is scheduled for Nov. 8.

Comments

[JacquelineJR]

11:40 AM on 11/07/2011

Once you go octogenarian you never go back!

[Rita Morris]

05:53 PM on 11/06/2011

Send him here please! I am a 70 yr young lady and sooo lonely!!

[Iron100]

12:34 PM on 11/06/2011

legalize prostitution. There are real crimes, especially white collar ones by executives, banks and corporations that need attention.

[shellsangels]

12:22 PM on 11/06/2011

I guess the old saying "the older the buck, the stiffer the horn" may have a little credence. LOL

[Annette Hammond]

05:50 PM on 11/05/2011

Darn! I thought it was going to be about an 83 yr.old pimp.And wondered if he had to test the merchandise.ewwww

[valley boy]

01:25 PM on 11/05/2011

Politicians, hookers or hookers, politicians. It's so hard to tell them apart, except you know who gets screwed by politicians. YOU.

[Skydiver63]

01:15 PM on 11/05/2011

If that is his booking photo...He does not look too upset to me. In fact, he may relish the publicity! When I'm 83 I probably wouldn't mind a little publicity myself. He should be fined $500.00 which should go to the young lady. Therefore, she gets her discount and he ....gets to behave himself!

[matdough]

03:22 PM on 11/05/2011

he was behaving himself and he got HUNGRY !

[tnjranch]

10:16 AM on 11/05/2011

Oh, come on... at 83 years old, if he still has enough left in him for that, then more power to him, turn him loose for Christ sakes. Let him have some fun for a change. A whole lot more fun than playing Bingo. The article didn't say if the lady said "No" or not, so who knows, maybe she has Parkinson's disease, and he just wanted her to hold him....... I'd vote for him..

[adamantthe1st21]

09:21 AM on 11/05/2011

Life has some ups and downs. .................

[adamantthe1st21]

09:16 AM on 11/05/2011

Viagra will do that to you !

[wfhbear]

09:06 AM on 11/05/2011

The Digital Journal and ABC are saying, "33-year-old Melissa Drew had purchased a home from Mr. Dawson 10 years ago". ABC News is reporting, that "Melissa Drew had been borrowing money from Dawson for a multitude of reasons over the years---getting new vehicle tires or to visit a sick mom. But she had not been able to repay the $6,500 debt and he finally requested full payment.

This started at least 10 years ago.That makes Drew 23 and Pop-Pop 73. I wonder if Dawson was a "Sugar Daddy" who went a little to far and Melissa shut down the shop. I think that maybe these two trains are on parallel tracks running in the same direction at top speed. Could be they have been playing each other sweetly for a long time.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/313902#ixzz1cpmnGbYy

[rb5357]

08:42 AM on 11/05/2011

I can imagine what the old man wanted to do to her. Nothing wrong with that. I think she turned him in so he'd get arrrested and maybe she won'y have to pay back the money. At 83,,, he's get my vote too.

[IDNM Mud]

08:40 AM on 11/05/2011

Go Ben, Go Ben, Go. I Hope I'm still as spry at 83, if I don't die first.
A song for Ben http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgmghzzk9Q4
If you don't get elected, you can always run a dating service.

[rjollierroger]

08:17 AM on 11/05/2011

Boy, 83 years old & pull a stunt like that. My kids & grandkids would kill me. After my wife got through with me.

[Learical]

08:06 AM on 11/05/2011

'intent to commit" - wth Half the population could be charged! lol