The Benton County Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, Shawn Greggory Bendickson, 35, Vinton, was arrested on charges of:

1. Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, a Class B felony that carries a 25 year prison sentence upon conviction that requires the Defendant to serve 70% of the sentence (which is 17.5 years) before being eligible for parole;
2. Lascivious Acts with a Child, a Class C Felony that carries a maximum penalty of a 10 year prison sentence upon conviction and a minimum fine of $1,375.00 up to a maximum fine of $13,660.00); and
3. Assault With Intent to Commit Sexual Abuse, an Aggravated Misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a minimum fine of $855.00 up to a maximum fine of $8,540.00
   Both Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree and Lascivious Acts with a Child further require the Defendant to serve a special sentence of lifetime parole and require a defendant to be on the Sex Offender Registry for Life upon conviction.

It is alleged that Bendickson abused a female child, under the age of 12, between January of 2014 through December of 2018 in Blairstown.
This case was investigated by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
A criminal charge is only an accusation, and criminal defendants are innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.