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NEWS RELEASE
September 27, 2024
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet announced the arrest of a Thibodaux man in connection with an ongoing sex crimes investigation in Terrebonne Parish. Wayne D. Bennett, 63, was arrested on numerous sexual motivated charges, stemming from the investigation.
On September 16, 2024, Deputies of the Patrol Division responded to a report of sexual abuse allegations involving several juvenile male subjects, at a local Terrebonne residence. Deputies spoke with family members of the victims, and quickly determined that the victims identified the suspect as Wayne D. Bennett, who was described as a close family friend. During the course of the initial investigation, the victims described several locations inside and outside of Terrebonne Parish where the abuse occurred, including a different state.
As a result of the investigative information, the TPSO Special Victim’s Unit was brought in to investigate the incidents, and a joint investigation was started with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations, in response to the allegations.
Through further investigation, the SVU was able to document multiple victims, and identify several locations within Terrebonne Parish where the abuse was perpetrated. The SVU completed a thorough investigation into the incidents and confirmed that the allegations of sexual abuse had taken place between Bennett and the victims, on multiple occasions. SVU Detectives obtained warrants for Bennett’s arrest, who was later linked to an address in the state of Florida, where he was taken into custody on Monday, September 23, 2024, by Federal Authorities.
Wayne D. Bennett was extradited from the State of Florida to Terrebonne Parish on Wednesday, September 25th, where he was arrested on charges of First-Degree Rape, Third-Degree Rape, Trafficking of children for sexual purposes (5 counts), and Indecent behavior with a juvenile (3 counts). Wayne D. Bennett remains jailed at the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex on a $700,000.00 bond by local judges.
Once in Terrebonne, SVU Detectives completed an in-depth interview with Bennett, where he confessed to the sexual abuse of the known victims. Additionally, Bennett provided
investigative information to Authorities of his abuse over multiple decades, which may assist Detectives in the development of additional victims.
This series of crimes remains an ongoing investigation, and the possibility of additional victims and charges against Bennett seem highly likely. Additional details will be released as they become available.
Sheriff Soignet is extremely proud of the investigative efforts of the Special Victim’s Unit thus far, which has enabled a very dangerous offender to be removed from our community. Sheriff Soignet said, “As always, we ask for patience and privacy for the victims and family. I am extremely passionate about protecting the children of our community, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated. Our Detectives are continuing to work hand in hand with our public safety partners to bring a resolution to this unfortunate investigation, and I would like to personally thank each agency for their dedication to this investigation.”
ALL ARRESTED PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
