Joseph Brandon Benton, 18, was last heard from on January 6, 2004, when he contacted his family around 5:00 p.m. in Lufkin, Texas. Known as Smokey Joe, he was driving a brown and tan 1987 Ford F-150 extended cab truck; the truck was later found abandoned near Zavalla, Texas, behind a locked cattle gate on a rural dirt road. Despite extensive searches, Joseph has never been seen or heard from again and his disappearance remains unsolved.

He is described with black hair, hazel eyes, several distinguishing tattoos including Love and Hate on his knuckles, a mushroom on his left calf, and Smokey Joe on his forearm. He also had a pierced left ear and was missing several teeth. The circumstances suggest the possibility of foul play, but no significant leads have surfaced and the case is classified as endangered.

Anyone who knew Joseph, saw his truck near Zavalla in January 2004, or has information that could help investigators is asked to come forward.