Ramsey County (trfnews.i234.me) – A Mounds View High School teacher has been charged after investigators say he sexually assaulted a student. The teacher is now on administrative leave as the case moves through the court system.
According to the criminal complaint, 58-year-old Ted Matthew Bennett is charged with third-degree and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Prosecutors allege he had an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old student at the school. The charges state that Bennett gave the student alcohol and drugs before the assaults.
Investigators began looking into the case after the student’s father found concerning messages and other material on the girl’s phone. He contacted authorities, who then interviewed the teen and collected digital evidence. Police reported that the student provided details about the contact and confirmed the relationship.
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi released a statement following the filing of charges. He said schools must be safe places for students and that his office will not tolerate adults using their authority to harm children. Choi said the case highlights the importance of reporting suspected abuse, even when the person involved holds a position of trust.
The school district placed Bennett on administrative leave once the allegations were made known. District officials said they are cooperating with investigators and providing support for students and families. The district also noted that staff members are trained each year on mandatory reporting and professional conduct rules.
Bennett is expected to make his first court appearance this morning in Ramsey County District Court. Additional conditions may be set at that time, including restrictions on contact with students and limits on access to school property. More hearings will be scheduled as the case moves forward.
For more information on Minnesota criminal statutes, visit the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. For resources on reporting abuse, see the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
