Man charged with murder at homeless camp

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for murder after an argument escalated at a homeless camp.

On Friday, the Sheriff’s Office responded to the homeless camp in a wooded area off Siesta Lago Drive and North Poinciana Boulevard in reference to a  deceased body.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered Benjamin Venegas-Banales, 44, dead with obvious  signs of trauma, according to a Sheriff's Office report. An investigation revealed that Banales and Celeo Maldonado-Gala, 67, were involved in a  verbal argument, which escalated into a physical confrontation. Maldonado-Gala cooperated with the  investigation and detectives, after obtaining probable cause, arrested him for first degree murder. 

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the Osceola County  Sheriff’s Office at 407-348-2222.