A Gillette judge has ordered an 18-year-old to get a mental health test after the teen said he wasn’t mentally well enough to be found guilty of trying to seduce an 11-year-old boy and compelling a sex act from a dog, among other charges.
Corbin Behnke pleaded not guilty by reason of mental illness to the 22 charges against him March 20. And last week, District Court Judge James Causey ordered a mental health test for Behnke.
“There is a question as to the defendant’s mental status at the time of the offense and (his) criminal responsibility due to mental illness or deficiency,” wrote Causey in his order asking the Wyoming State Hospital to arrange a mental health test for Behnke.
Wyoming defendants can be found not guilty if, during their crimes, they lacked the mental capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of their conduct or conform their actions to the law.
Behnke’s alleged crimes span a few months, with many dating throughout autumn of 2023.
Though his mental status of 2023 is being evaluated, Judge Causey declared in his order that Behnke is mentally fit right now, to face his prosecution.
The designated mental health evaluator has two months to file a written report with the court, giving an opinion as to whether Behnke has a mental illness and how long it’s lasted; and whether his alleged criminal conduct was the result of mental illness.
Civilian Sting
This case reached law enforcement after a pair of high schoolers reportedly posed as an 11-year-old boy on a fake Snapchat account to catch Behnke in an illegal seduction act. They decided to do this after Behnke allegedly stalked one of the students, a 15-year-old boy, for several months.
They handed the Snapchat data over to a school counselor Dec. 5, who in turn handed it over to law enforcement, says the case affidavit.
Campbell County Sheriff’s Deputy Heather Monson went that evening to Behnke’s home, where he agreed to speak to her outside. And he reportedly agreed to let her go through his phone.
Behnke told her he was interested in boys ranging from ages 10-15; and that he had babysat young children but had not touched them inappropriately, the affidavit alleges.
The document also says investigators found a video of Behnke performing a sex act with a dog.
They allegedly found Snapchat conversations with boys ranging in age from 12 to 16, in which Behnke would request lewd photos or exchange lewd comments.
The Tally
Behnke faces 22 charges in all, including felonies and misdemeanors, in Campbell County District Court. These are:
Fifteen counts of attempted or solicited sexual exploitation of children, each punishable by between five and 12 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
One count of stalking, punishable by up to one year in jail and $750 in fines.
One count of attempting to engage in illicit sexual relations, punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
Two counts of promoting or attempting to promote obscenity, punishable by up to one year in jail and $6,000 in fines.
Two counts of sexual exploitation of children, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
One count of bestiality, punishable by up to one year in jail and $1,000 in fines.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
