Ryan Christopher Bentley, 17, of Boyne City, has been charged with five counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct, Third Degree, involving three different victims. The maximum penalty for each of the crimes is fifteen years in prison.

According to police affidavits, Bentley accomplished sexual penetration utilizing force or coercion with a 17-year old victim and engaged in sexual penetrations with a 15-year old victim and a 14-year old victim. The legal age of consent in Michigan is 16.

In all three cases, Bentley’s next court date is Jan. 9, 2018 for probable cause conferences with preliminary examinations to follow on Jan. 16.

Bentley has entered not guilty pleas on all files and he is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Bentley is free on bond. His bond was initially set at $100,000 but was lowered to a $5,000, 10% bond by 90th District Judge James N. Erhart. Bentley is subject to a GPS tether and is under house arrest while he awaits trial.