Former police officer in Johnston County town accused of rape after SBI investigation
A former police officer in Johnston County is accused of rape after an investigation requested by his department and the county’s district attorney.
The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation announced charges against Peter Alphonso Blake, 33, on Wednesday. Blake was a police officer for the town of Benson, 33 miles south of Raleigh. He faces charges of forcible rape, kidnapping, burglary and involuntary sexual servitude.
Blake was fired by the town of Benson on Wednesday, according to a termination letter obtained by The News & Observer.
The Benson Police Department received allegations of sexual assault earlier in April, the SBI said in its statement. Police Chief Greg Percy reported the allegations to Johnston County District Attorney Jason Waller. Percy and Waller requested the SBI’s help April 8.
A warrant for Blake’s arrest alleges the incident took place April 8. The warrant accuses Blake of breaking and entering into a person’s home and sexually assaulting them. Blake is being held on a $5 million bail, court records show.
Blake was hired by the town of Benson on Aug. 28, 2025, Benson Police Chief Greg Percy wrote in Blake’s termination letter. Percy wrote that per town personnel policy, Blake was placed on a 12-month probationary period during which he could be dismissed “when the Town Manager or Department Head feels the employee is not satisfactorily performing assigned duties, or when it would be in the best interest of the Town.”
The termination letter does not state why Blake was fired or who decided to fire him. Blake’s personnel file, obtained by The N&O, shows no suspensions before or after Benson police learned of the allegations against him.
The SBI is still investigating the matter. The agency encouraged anyone who believes they are a victim of a similar crime involving Blake to contact the SBI or the Benson Police Department.
Waller said in a statement Wednesday afternoon that the District Attorney’s Office is reviewing all the criminal cases in which Blake was involved.
This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 11:06 AM.
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