A Gwinnett County work-release prisoner was arrested this week for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl.

Brian Sherron Benton, 40, was supposed to be working by day at the Publix warehouse in Lawrenceville and returning immediately afterward to the Gwinnett County Comprehensive Correctional Complex. But Lawrenceville Police Detective Tim Ashley said Benton was bending the rules by spending leisure time at the home of the 17-year-old's mother.

He allegedly formed a bond with the family over the course of the past few months, and even obtained a key to the family's apartment, Ashley said. Police say Benton raped the daughter at the apartment over Fourth of July weekend, when her mother was out of town.

It took several weeks before the alleged victim confided in a friend, who later told the girl's mother about the incident. The victim's mother contacted the Lawrenceville Police Department on Monday.

By then, it was too late to gather any physical evidence, Ashley said.

"I explained to them that it was going to be a difficult road, but she's been victimized, and she deserves a chance at justice just as much as anybody else does," Ashley said. "She was very reserved, very quiet, just sat there and cried the whole time."

Benton had not been appointed an attorney as of Thursday morning because he had not had a first appearance hearing in Gwinnett County Magistrate Court.

The detective said Benton has denied raping the teenager.

Benton was in jail on drug charges. His previous status as a nonviolent offender made him eligible to participate in the work-release program, Ashley said.

"This guy took this opportunity he was given to be on this program and actually do something with himself and then got himself in trouble," Ashley said.