Sheridan Man Sentenced to Prison for Sexual Assault

A Sheridan man was sentenced to prison Tuesday in Fourth Judicial District Court in Sheridan for the crime of sexual assault. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

At a hearing on May 12 in District Court, 25-year-old Bennett Walseth of Sheridan changed his plea to guilty to the charge of sexual assault in the first degree. At sentencing Tuesday, District Court Judge Darci Phillips accepted the terms of the plea agreement reached with the state and sentenced Walseth to 5 to 10 years in prison for the sexual assault charge.

Judge Phillips also ordered Walseth to pay $325 in various court costs and fees.  The crime occurred during the summer of 2019 at a residence in Sheridan County when Walseth sexually assaulted a woman who was physically helpless and did not consent.