Waldorf man sentenced to 15 years for sexual conduct

Michael Lee Bennett, 33, of Waldorf, will be serving 10 years in prison followed by 15 years of  “conditional release” for criminal sexual conduct he committed against six victims including children from at least two different households. The sentence was pronounced July 13 after Bennett had previously pleaded guilty to the charges.

During the sentencing hearing, Waseca County Attorney Rachel Cornelius called Bennett’s case “one of the most egregious of my career,” citing the number of victims, the 2-year span of the abuse, and that Bennett “preyed on children with special needs and past histories of trauma.” In a victim impact statement shared during the hearing, one minor revealed having attempted suicide twice after being made to feel “ugly, worthless and nasty” by Bennett’s abuse.

Noting that people who are sexually abused as children have increased chances of someday becoming sexual predators, Cornelius suggested that Bennett “lacks an appreciation for the impact of his behavior.” She further commented that he had caused harm which would lead to years of trauma and possibly lifelong therapy for the victims, and even had a chance of harming  future generations.  Cornelius requested the maximum possible sentence for Bennett’s circumstances, 18 years.

Defending attorney Dawn Johnson requested the minimum sentence for Bennett’s circumstances, citing that he had requested and begun taking part in treatment during the 225 days he had already served in jail. She suggested that he had shown “insight and remorse” regarding his behavior during that treatment, and that he had chosen to plead guilty to the charges against him “to save the victims from the trauma of testifying.”

As she pronounced her decision, presiding judge Carol M. Hanks accused Bennett of “warped thinking” in claiming that “your absence from [victims’] lives is a greater loss than the trauma you inflicted.” Her final statement was “I sincerely hope you get the help you need to deal with your issues.”

The minor who had shared her feelings in her victim impact statement had phrased things a bit more strongly: “I’m hoping you get everything you deserve in prison.”