Mercedes ISD releases statement following Superintendent's DWI arrest

MERCEDES, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Mercedes Independent School District has provided a statement following the arrest of its Superintendent, Benjamin Clinton.

On Friday, May 16, Clinton was arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety on charges of driving while intoxicated, according to Cameron County Jail Records.

He was issued a bond of $2,500 and later released on bond, records state.

^{Benjamin Alexander Clinton (Source: Cameron County Jail Records)}

On Monday, Mercedes ISD district officials provided the following statement regarding the superintendent's arrest:

"On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the District was made aware of the arrest of the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Benjamin Clinton. The Board of Trustees will discuss the matter in closed session at its regular board meeting to be held on May 20, 2025. As this involves a personnel matter, we cannot share additional details at this time."

According to a previous ValleyCentral article, Clinton was named superintendent of Mercedes ISD on Feb. 1.

The district will hold a scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, May 20, where it will discuss the matter in a closed session.