FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(New Haven, CT) – John P. Doyle, Jr., New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney, today announced that Robert Bendel, age 77, of Meriden was sentenced on January 10, 2024 by the Honorable Thomas V. O'Keefe, Jr. to 20 years in prison, suspended after eight years served, and 10 years of probation.
Bendel pleaded guilty in Superior Court, Geographical Area, No. 7, Meriden, on November 14, 2023 to two counts of Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-73a and two counts of Risk of Injury to a Minor, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §53-21(a)(2).
Court records show Bendel committed the crimes between the years of 2017 and 2020 upon two minor victims. One victim was under 10 years old and the other victim was under the age of 16 at the time of the crimes.
As part of the defendant's sentencing, Judge O’Keefe ordered Bendel to register with the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry and to obey two standing criminal protective orders. The judge also prohibited Bendel from having any contact with minors.
In his sentencing comments, Judge O'Keefe indicated the crimes not only impacted the victims but also affected their families. Judge O'Keefe also indicated that when deciding the sentence, he took into consideration the defendant’s advanced age and poor health.
This matter was investigated by the Meriden Police Department and prosecuted by Senior Assistant State's Attorney Nichol Peco.