Michelle Blessent, formerly known as James, will be ineligible for parole until 2095.
Update: Michelle Blessent has been sent to the Logan Correctional Center for Women in Lincoln, with the trans-identified male being housed alongside female inmates, according to Reduxx. Blessent is legally male and marked as such in the Illinois Offender Directory.
A trans-identifying man from Bloomington, Ill., was sentenced to 87 years in prison after admitting to child grooming and two counts of sexual assault against a victim under the age of 13. Michelle Blessent, formerly known as James, received a sentence of 42 years for each count of predatory criminal sexual assault. Additionally, he was sentenced to three years for the count of grooming. The sentences will run consecutively, meaning Blessent will serve a total of 87 years.
"The men and women of the Bloomington Police Department strive to hold violent offenders accountable through diligent and effective investigations," said Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington in a statement, according to WGLT. "The unfortunate victims in these cases deserve the best possible outcomes, and I pray the deliverance of justice helps with the healing process."
Under Illinois sentencing laws, 85 percent of sentences related to criminal sexual assault must be served, making Blessent ineligible for parole until 2095. Blessent was arrested in April 2023. Upon arrest, Blessent, who identifies as transgender, attempted to argue that he could not have committed these crimes because his cross-sex hormones affected his ability to maintain an erection.
Local Illinois outlet WMBD reported on the incident, referring to Blessent as a “Bloomington woman” and using “she” pronouns. Their coverage did not mention that Blessent identifies as transgender or that he has male genitalia. Additionally, leftists online criticized the Bloomington Police for allowing social media posts relating to the case to have “transphobic” comments posted in response to the incident.
Powered by The Post Millennial CMS™ Comments
Join and support independent free thinkers!
We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.
Remind me next month
To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy
Comments
2024-08-18T17:30-0400 | Comment by: Mel
a sentence well deserved.