CLEARFIELD – A 51-year-old Curwensville man, Richard Coy Bennett Jr., was sentenced to state prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy, announced Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. today.
On April 26, 2013, Cpl. Adam Gibson of the Pennsylvania State Police filed a criminal complaint against Bennett. He charged Bennett with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse; statutory sexual assault; sexual assault; corruption of minors; indecent assault; and selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors.
According to the criminal complaint, in March of 2013, state police initiated an investigation into the sexual assault of a 14-year-old boy. Upon investigation it was found that while the victim was at Bennett’s residence, Bennett had pinned him down and proceeded to sexually assault him. It was also found that Bennett was a friend of the victim’s family and had provided him alcohol on the night of the incident.
On Feb. 26, the day prior to his scheduled jury trial, Bennett tendered an open guilty plea to all charges and with all terms, including the sentence, to be determined by the court. Bennett appeared today before the Honorable Fredric J. Ammerman for sentencing. Ammerman sentenced Bennett to a minimum of 15 years to a maximum of 30 years of incarceration in the state prison system.
Afterward, Shaw stated a sentence of this magnitude conveys a strong message that this type of inappropriate behavior will absolutely not be tolerated. He also explained that Bennett will be a lifetime sex offender registrant under Megan’s Law.
Shaw stated that protecting the county’s youth will always remain one of the top priorities of the Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office. He noted that the overwhelming majority of child sexual abuse victims are abused by someone they know and trust, and it’s important for parents to encourage their children to talk to them.
Shaw emphasized that anyone who suspects a child has been sexually abused needs to report it immediately to law enforcement. He commended the Pennsylvania State Police for their investigation of this case.
Anyone with knowledge of a crime is asked to call Clearfield County Crime Stoppers at 800-376-4700. All calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting the Clearfield County District Attorney Web site at “www.ClearfieldDA.org” and selecting “Report A Crime.”
