A Florida man, Henry Betsey Jr., was sentenced to two years’ probation after pleading guilty to bigamy charges for marrying three women without divorcing or annulling his previous marriages. Betsey’s case drew national attention earlier this year after his wives discovered his multiple marriages. The 25-year-old man met his wives on dating websites, including (link unavailable), and married them in different counties in Florida.
Betsey’s wives, Michele, Brandy, and Tonya, all spoke out about their experiences with him, describing how they felt betrayed and hurt by his actions. Michele Betsey addressed the judge during the sentencing hearing, saying, “What he did was not a mistake. It was a deliberate choice and choices have consequences.” Tonya Betsey added that the state’s lack of a database to cross-reference marriage licenses between counties contributed to her situation.
The judge, Charles B. Merritt Jr., sentenced Betsey to two years’ probation, with eight days credit for time served, and ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation and complete a certified battery intervention program. Betsey was also ordered to stay off social media and dating websites and not to have contact with his three former wives. As part of the protocol following his felony conviction, deputies collected Betsey’s fingerprints and a DNA sample.
Betsey’s wives expressed mixed feelings about the sentence, with Tonya saying she had hoped for a stronger sentence. Michele Betsey said she didn’t believe Betsey’s apology in court and thought it was only said because it was recommended by his attorney. However, both women were glad to put a difficult chapter behind them. Michele Betsey is now talking to state legislators, hoping they will introduce a law calling for a statewide marriage license database to prevent similar situations in the future.
The case highlights the need for better safeguards to prevent bigamy and protect individuals from similar situations. Betsey’s conviction and sentence serve as a reminder of the consequences of such actions. As a convicted felon, Betsey’s life will likely be impacted significantly, and his former wives hope that his experience will serve as a warning to others.
