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State Representative Mike Benson
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4378
For more information contact: Jason Wenisch 651-296-2317
NEWS RELEASE
REP. BENSON DISAPPOINTED WITH COMMISSIONER’S DECISION TO RELEASE CONVICTED PEDOPHILE
ST. PAUL – Last week, Governor Mark Dayton’s human services commissioner Lucinda Jesson signed off on the release of a convicted sexual predator from Minnesota’s Sex Offender Program. This maneuver has angered many lawmakers, including State Representative Mike Benson (R-Rochester).
Clarence Opheim, 64, has been in the program since 1994. He is responsible for roughly 100 separate sex offenses with almost 30 different victims, the youngest being an eight year old child.
“This move is simply outrageous,” Benson said. “Having preyed on 30 victims, its clear Mr. Opheim can be classified as the worst of the worst, so I am extremely interested in learning why Governor Dayton’s commissioner feels it’s time for him to now live in a halfway house as opposed to being isolated from society.”
Less than one year ago, a state special review board found that Opheim would be “at high risk to commit a future serious sexual offense,” which only adds to Benson’s outrage. At the present time, he is expected to be sent to a halfway house in St. Paul.
On February 15, the Minnesota House Health and Human Services Reform Committee will hold a hearing to learn what prompted Commissioner Jesson to make this decision. Rep. Benson serves on the committee.
“I have no idea why sending a sexual predator to live in a densely populated area would be in the best interests of Minnesotans,” Benson said. “With his extensive record of sex offenses, it’s clear this is a person that cannot and should not be trusted.”
“Governor Dayton needs to do the right thing and reverse this decision,” Benson continued. “This man has already wrecked the lives of 30 children; do we really want to put another child at risk?”
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- REP. BENSON: VOTER IDENTIFICATION DECISION NOW BELONGS TO MINNESOTA VOTERS - (Posted: 2012-04-05 00:00:00)
- REP. BENSON DISAPPOINTED WITH COMMISSIONER’S DECISION TO RELEASE CONVICTED PEDOPHILE - (Posted: 2012-02-08 00:00:00)
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