.png)
Bennett
‘At age 17, the victim whose abuse started at 8 years old, gave birth to the defendant’s daughter.’
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
LUDINGTON — In what Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand described as one of the most disturbing cases of sexual abuse in her 34-year career, a 63-year-old Free Soil man was sentenced by Judge Susan K. Sniegowski to 30-80 years in prison in 51st Circuit Court, Oct. 13.
Arthur Frederick Bennett pleaded no contest, Aug. 11, to three counts of criminal sexual conduct, two counts of third-degree CSC and fourth-offense habitual offender in one file and three counts of third-degree CSC in a second criminal file.
“The female victims were approximately 8 (Victim 1) and 11 (Victim 2), respectively when the abuse started,” said Prosecutor Hand. “The abuse continued for years and years. At age 17, the victim whose abuse started at 8 years old, gave birth to the defendant’s daughter.
“This was one of the most disturbing cases of sexual abuse I have seen in my 34-plus year career. There was a third file, which was dismissed as part of the plea negotiations in this case where the defendant was alleged (in that case he is still presumed innocent) to have sexually assaulted his biological daughter (alleged Victim 3) that was conceived during his abuse of what I will refer to as Victim 1.”
“Victim 1 was the child of a family friend. Age 8-18, she was abused. Victim 2 was the defendant’s (relative). Age 11 until her early 20s, the abuse occurred. Alleged victim 3 was the defendant’s biological daughter.
“The 30-year sentence was agreed upon to spare the victims and more importantly the alleged child victim in the case that was dismissed from having to relive these horrific experiences. No number of years would sufficiently punish the defendant for these crimes. The additional reason that this term of years was agreed to is that at 63 years of age, his earliest out date would be 93, should he live to be that old. The defendant is a prior sex offender.
“The assaults occurred in Free Soil, Manistee and on back roads in Mason County,” said Hand. “He frequently violated the two young children at the same time, switching between the two of them. Both victims stated the defendant would give them things after they completed the acts he forced on them. The victims’ impact statements were heartwrenching. The defendant stole their childhoods and created lasting mental anguish. I applaud the bravery of these two women for finally facing their abuser. There are no words to express my sympathy for these women and what they endured. The defendant will not be free until he is a very old man, should he survive his prison term.”
Bennett received credit for 150 days served in jail.
He was convicted in 1990 0f third-degree CSC and sentenced to three to 15 years in prison. In 1986, Bennett was convicted of fourth-degree CSC and sentenced to 14 months to two years in prison, according to Michigan Department of Corrections records. He is incarcerated in the Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center in Jackson County.
______________________________________
Please Support Local News Coverage
For generations, local newspapers were supported by subscriptions. Today, while Mason County Press and Oceana County Press remain free to everyone, the cost of producing quality local journalism continues to rise.
If you value independent local news coverage, we invite you to help sustain it by subscribing to the MCP/OCP Daily Briefing for $12 a month — about 40 cents a day — or $120 a year.
Your subscription helps support the reporters, photographers and editors who cover local government, schools, community events, sports, breaking news and the stories that matter most to Mason and Oceana counties. In return, you’ll receive the MCP/OCP Daily Briefing each morning with the day’s headlines, along with occasional breaking news and special email editions.
Monthly subscriptions are available for $12 per month.
Click here to subscribe monthly.
Annual subscriptions are available for $120 per year. That’s a two month savings!
Click here to subscribe annually.
If you prefer to pay by check, mail your $120 annual payment to:
Media Group 31, LLC
P.O. Box 21
Scottville, MI 49454
Please include your name, mailing address, email address and telephone number so we can activate your subscription.
Subscription payments must be received before service is activated.
Whether you choose to subscribe or continue enjoying our free content, thank you for reading Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. Your readership—and your support—helps ensure that independent local journalism remains available to everyone in our communities.
This story and original photography are copyrighted © 2026 by Media Group 31, LLC, P.O. Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. All rights reserved. No portion of this story or its images may be reproduced in any form, including print, broadcast or electronic media, without the express written permission of Media Group 31, LLC.
As a news organization, Media Group 31 maintains published content as part of the public and historical record. Accordingly, stories are not removed after publication. At the editor’s discretion, stories may be updated or corrected as new information becomes available. Updates may be made by revising the original story or by publishing a follow-up story. Media Group 31, LLC reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. Please refer to our Use Policy for additional information.
.jpg)
