A former Iowa State zoology professor convicted of incest reported to jail last week after he resigned from Iowa State, officials said.

“He is incarcerated now and is being held in the Story County Jail,” said Mary Richards, county attorney.

Robert Benbow was sentenced to five years in prison on Oct. 21, 1994, by a Story County Judge, Richards said. He filed an appeal on Oct. 24, 1994, the same day he posted a $10,000 appeal bond, she said.

Court documents said the victim confided in another person that Benbow had performed a sexual act with her. Evidence of sexual abuse was discovered on the victim by a doctor who later examined her.

Benbow was free during the appeal process, but in February his appeal was denied by the Iowa Supreme Court, Richards said.

According to the ISU Zoology Department, Benbow was not teaching during the 1996 spring semester.

Paul Tanaka, ISU’s legal adviser, told the Associated Press that Benbow’s resignation is effective today.

Benbow filed a motion for a new trial, scheduled for Monday, Richards said.