(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the unsealing of an indictment today charging Richard Bennett, 50, with four counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
“This defendant allegedly used his position as a physician’s assistant to gain the trust of the victim for his own sexual gratification,” said Tierney. “We will do everything in our power to protect victims and hold those who prey on them to account.”
According to court filings, Bennett contacted his victim in April of 2020 through her foster mother under the guise that he wanted to give her a birthday present. The victim who was 16 years-old at the time, was given Bennett’s message and phone number and told to call him. As alleged, shortly afterward, the victim and defendant met in person.
In May 2020, the defendant picked the victim up and drove to a beach in Suffolk County where the acts allegedly took place. During this same time period Bennett already had an open case pending in Suffolk County District Court, in relation to a May 21, 2020 arrest for the charges of Sex Abuse in the Third Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and associated charges – all misdemeanors. That arrest involved a different underage female. He had been released on his own recognizance on May 22, 2020.
Suffolk County District Court Judge Karen M. Wilutis ordered Bennett be placed on supervised release with GPS conditions. His next court date is March 28. Bennett is represented by Peter Brill.
The case is being prosecuted by ADA Erin Branigan, Assistant District Attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau.
The District Attorney urges anyone who may have been victimized by this individual to contact the Suffolk County Police Department’s Special Victims Section at 631-852-6361.