Boulder City man indicted for sexual assault of five women, including a teen
A 67-year-old Boulder City man faces 34 charges for the sexual assaults of five female victims ages 16 to 21 over a five-year period.
Peter Bennett, a rodeo trainer, was indicted last week on multiple counts of sexual assault, kidnapping, open and gross lewdness, coercion, battery, and burglary — including 24 felonies and 10 gross misdemeanors.
Following Bennett’s arrest in August, more victims came forward.
A 95-page transcript of the grand jury testimony showed all five of the female victims testified.
One victim said Bennett reeked of alcohol when he pulled a 9 mm handgun and sexually assaulted her as he held the gun to her head. The victim said she didn’t immediately tell authorities because she was scared and embarrassed.
The victims all knew Bennett through the rodeo circuit and the Boulder City Horseman’s Association.
Defense lawyer Damian Sheets said his client plans to plead not guilty to the charges at an arraignment hearing Nov. 15 before District Judge Jennifer Togliatti.
“My client is innocent of these charges,” Sheets said. The lawyer said he’s been conducting his own investigation and found inconsistencies in the victims’ claims that will come out at trial.
Sheets said Bennett has received a surge of support from the community.
Meanwhile, Bennett remained held at the Clark County Detention Center on $1 million bail.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@review journal.com or 702-380-1039.
