Benton was one of three lithium miners who worked Rigel XII in the 2260s. Like the other two, he lived a life of isolation, but one that had made him fantastically rich. In 2266, the USS Enterprise stopped at Rigel XII to replace its burned out lithium crystals. Before the Enterprise arrived, Harry Mudd had contacted the miners privately and arranged his own deal: instead of their usual remuneration, the miners wanted to deal for Mudd's women and his freedom. Enchanted by the women, Benton married one by subspace radio, before discovering that her looks were at least partially the product of the illegal Venus drug. (TOS: "Mudd's Women")
Benton was portrayed by Seamon Glass.