Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man is scheduled to be sentenced next month for physically bullying a vulnerable man in order to gain access to his bank account.

According Olmsted County Court records, charges were filed last November against 20-year-old Bill Gum Benjamin after the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation earlier last fall after receiving a report of a theft. A woman told investigators that Benjamin had been forcing her son to give him money.

The Charges Alleged That He Took More Than $40,000

The criminal complaint says the investigator spoke to the victim, who indicated he met Benjamin while working at a business in southeast Rochester in 2023, and at some point, complied with a request from Benjamin for some money. The victim also stated that after a few more money requests, Benjamin began forcing the victim into his car and would physically push him around.

It was also alleged that Benjamin would call the victim's bank to verify his account balance before driving the man to a bank branch in southwest Rochester and forcing him to withdraw money. According to the victim, Benjamin would wait outside his workplace and follow him in his car almost every week on the day he was paid.

Get our free mobile app

The charges stated that the victim's mother became involved after his phone was shut off for nonpayment and she examined her son's bank statements. She told investigators that she discovered his balance had dropped for more than $40,000 to nothing over the previous year.

The criminal complaint accused Benjamin of taking more than $7700 from the victim in September 2023 and an additional $22,900 between October 2023 and the end of March last year. It was also alleged that an additional $10,900 was taken by Benjamin between April and the end of September last year.

The court document indicates the victim is considered vulnerable because he has autism and is developmentally delayed.

Benjamin was charged with three felony counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. Under a plea agreement that was finalized on Thursday, the criminal complaint was amended and he admitted to a felony theft charge.

Benjamin also entered a guilty plea to a felony damage to property charge stemming from an incident in late January during which he was accused of throwing an object and shattering a glass window on the door at a residence in northwest Rochester. It was estimated that he caused about $6500 in damage.

More Minnesota News:

• Charges: Ex-Bookkeeper Stole Thousands from Rochester Business
• Twin Cities Woman Charged in Pine Island Drug Bust
• Southern Minnesota House Fire Injures 6 - Including 4 Children