Michael Benjamin Sentenced to 164 Years to Life

Rochester, NY - On Thursday, March 13, 2025, 40-year-old Michael Benjamin was sentenced by New York State Supreme Court Justice Sinclair to 164 years to Life in the New York State Department of Corrections. He was previously convicted by a Monroe County jury of three counts of Predatory Sexual Assault, Kidnapping in the 2nd Degree, two counts of Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree, two counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the 1st Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree for the kidnapping and violent sexual assault of a woman on May 26, 2024.

On May 26, 2024, Rochester Police Officers received a call about the abduction of a young woman. In the early morning hours, the victim was taken by force in the area of North Clinton Avenue in the City of Rochester. The Rochester Police Department immediately conducted an investigation to locate the victim.

After conducting a quick and thorough investigation, Rochester Police Officers were able to identify the location of the victim and the kidnapper. By the afternoon of the same day, investigators were able to bring the victim to safety and arrest Michael Benjamin for the kidnapping.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Michael Benjamin violently sexually assaulted the victim for the duration of the kidnapping.

This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant District Attorney Jessica Wagner, of the Special Victims Unit.

“Today, I watched the victim and a member of her family confront Michael Benjamin at sentencing and share the devastating impact his heinous actions had on their lives,” said Assistant District Attorney Jessica Wagner. “I am grateful that this survivor can finally close this chapter of her life while continuing to heal from this lifelong trauma. With today’s sentence, this violent sexual offender will never again reside in our community. Thank you to the Rochester Police Department for their quick investigation. Because of their fast actions, Michael Benjamin is no longer a threat to our community.”

“The actions of Michael Benjamin were utterly despicable and traumatic for this young woman,” said Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley. “Predatory Sexual Assault is one of the most heinous sexual abuse charges and this is the lengthy sentence that Michael Benjamin deserves. Thank you to the Rochester Police Department for helping the victim reunite with her family on the same day as the kidnapping. It is the hope of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office that today’s sentence will assist in the survivor’s journey to recovery from this terrible trauma.”