Two Men Arrested in Separate Hamlin County Minor Sexual Assault Investigations
- Steve Jurrens
- Jun 25
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced Wednesday that two men have been arrested in connection with two separate sexual assault investigations involving minors in Hamlin County.
The arrests, which occurred on Wednesday, were the result of investigations conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). The Hamlin County State’s Attorney’s Office is handling the prosecution for both cases.
The individuals arrested are:
· Christopher Verhoek, 34, of Bruce, S.D.
o Verhoek is facing two felony counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. Each count carries a maximum sentence of two years in the state penitentiary and/or a $4,000 fine.
o He also faces two misdemeanor counts of Attempted Hiring for Sexual Activity and five misdemeanor counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. These misdemeanor charges each carry a maximum sentence of one year in the county jail and/or a $2,000 fine.
o The alleged crimes occurred between 2024 and 2026.
o Verhoek was released after posting a $2,500 bond.
· Kevin Benthin, 63, of Estelline, S.D.
o Benthin has been charged with two felony counts of Sexual Contact with a Child Under the Age of Sixteen. These charges carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in the state penitentiary and/or a $30,000 fine per count.
o Additionally, he faces one misdemeanor count of Sexual Contact Without Consent of a Child 15 Years of Age or Older, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in the county jail and/or a $2,000 fine.
o The alleged crimes took place in 2021, 2022, and 2026.
o Benthin is currently being held at the Codington County Detention Center in Watertown on a $5,000 cash bond.
Both men are presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.
