Dixon Vice-Mayor Defends Letter On Behalf Of Coach Accused Of Underage Sex

DIXON (CBS13) — Dixon Vice-Mayor Dane Besneatte is defending his own actions after using his elected title to help a suspected criminal get out of jail.

Besneatte, a criminal defense attorney, wrote to a Yolo County Superior Court judge on behalf of Troy Hensely—a former Dixon High School football coach accused of having sex with an underage girl.

He signed the letter as an attorney and as the vice-mayor of Dixon.

He says he has no regrets about using both his titles.

"I'm the lawyer and I'm the vice mayor," Besneatte said. "I think it puts perspective on what my opinion is."

In the June 7 letter, he wrote the following:

"I realize the pending allegations are serious and have caused tremendous ramifications and recriminations throughout the city of Dixon...

"However, I do not believe that Mr. Hensley is a threat to any person …"

Besneatte says he's known Hensley for 15 years. The longtime criminal defense attorney even represented Hensely when he faced a battery charge that would later be dismissed.