Mounds View High teacher Ted Bennett resigns; judge sets $75K bail in sex‑crimes case
Ted Bennett, a 58-year-old longtime English teacher at Mounds View High School, resigned this week after being arrested and charged with third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a minor student; the school board accepted his resignation. Authorities allege he provided the student alcohol and Adderall, exchanged explicit messages, and had sexual contact on multiple occasions — including in vehicles and a school theater storage area — and he was arrested at his home, held in Ramsey County Jail with bail set at $75,000 and ordered to stay away from the victim; investigators say there may be additional victims and have opened a tip line.
📌 Key Facts
- The suspect is Ted Bennett, a 58-year-old English language arts teacher at Mounds View High School who had worked in the district since 1999 (about 26–27 years).
- Bennett has been charged with one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a minor student; charging reports identify the student as 16 (one source reported the alleged victim as 17).
- Prosecutors allege sexual contact began in October and occurred multiple times — including in vehicles and in a back room/storage closet of the school theater during school hours — and that Bennett exchanged graphic sexual messages and porn with the student.
- The complaint alleges Bennett provided the student alcohol and Adderall (texts cited him saying he had “like 400” pills), discussed other illegal drugs, and told the student to “lie” and “delete everything” after he was placed on leave.
- Timeline from reporting: alleged meetings on Nov. 6 and Nov. 8, the student reported the conduct to police on Nov. 10, and a search warrant and arrest were executed on Nov. 11.
- Police arrested Bennett at his Minneapolis home (authorities found him in a vehicle with an overnight bag), seized electronic devices and handwritten notes, and he is being held in Ramsey County Jail pending court proceedings.
- At his first court appearance a judge set bond at $75,000 and ordered Bennett to stay away from the victim; the district says the school board accepted his resignation and that he had no prior issues on record.
- The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office believes there may be additional victims and has opened a tip line for anyone with information (651-266-7331).
📰 Sources (6)
Mounds View High School teacher charged with sex crimes resigns
New information:
- Ted Bennett resigned Wednesday; the Mounds View school board accepted his resignation Thursday night.
- At Bennett’s first court appearance Thursday, a judge set bond at $75,000 and ordered him to stay away from the victim.
- District says Bennett had worked there since 1999 with no prior issues on record.
- Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office reiterated belief there may be additional victims and provided a tip line (651-266-7331).
Longtime Mounds View High School teacher resigns, charged with criminal sexual conduct involving student
New information:
- Complaint details say Bennett used both school and personal email to contact the student’s school account and exchanged graphic sexual messages.
- Texts cited in the complaint show Bennett claimed to have "like 400" Adderall pills; he allegedly met the student in the school parking lot to provide Adderall and alcohol and later discussed using cocaine.
- Alleged sexual contact began in October and occurred in vehicles and inside the school; surveillance reportedly shows Bennett and the student entering a storage closet.
- After being placed on leave, Bennett allegedly told the student to "lie" and "delete everything"; surveillance captured the student crying and dropping to her knees on the phone.
- During Tuesday’s arrest/search at Bennett’s north Minneapolis home, police found him in a vehicle with an overnight bag and seized electronic devices and handwritten notes from the student.
Mounds View teacher charged with sexual conduct of 16-year-old student
New information:
- Bennett is a 27-year Mounds View High teacher; he was arrested Tuesday and his first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
- Complaint quotes texts allegedly from Bennett to the student, including: “Maybe… Add on some more illegal behaviors to the list,” and later, “I’m a little high… juiced up from add(Adderall)… maybe a bit tipsy from Jungle Juice and still a bit high from car activities.”
- Allegations detail sexual contact in vehicles and in a back room of the school theater; Bennett allegedly sent porn clips and discussed recreating them.
- Phone evidence indicates Bennett gave the teen Adderall and alcohol in the school parking lot and discussed cocaine.
- After being placed on leave, Bennett allegedly told the student by text: “I was fired, lie to them and delete everything.”
- Principal Rob Reetz emailed parents condemning any actions that harm or exploit students; Bennett was put on administrative leave Monday; no attorney listed yet.
Mounds View High School teacher charged for criminal sexual conduct with student
New information:
- Suspect identified as Ted Bennett, 58, an English teacher at Mounds View High School.
- Charges: one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a 16-year-old student.
- Allegations include providing the victim alcohol and Adderall; texts show Bennett said, “I have like 400 pills… it’s so easy to get on it,” and “Add on some more illegal behaviors to the list.”
- Timeline details: Nov. 6 and Nov. 8 meetings where he allegedly gave alcohol/Adderall; Nov. 10 report to police; Nov. 11 search warrant and arrest.
- Alleged sexual contact occurred multiple times, including in vehicles and in a back room of the school theater during school hours; school surveillance reportedly shows them entering a storage area together.
- Before arrest, Bennett allegedly told the victim he was on leave and to “lie to them and delete everything.”
- Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office believes there are multiple prior victims and is opening a tip line.
Mounds View High School teacher arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct
New information:
- Alleged victim is a 17-year-old female student.
- The arrested teacher is 58 years old, teaches English language arts, and has worked for Mounds View Public Schools for 26 years.
- He was arrested at his Minneapolis home and is being held in the Ramsey County Jail.
- Principal Rob Reetz’s letter to families confirmed administrative leave and limited details due to an active investigation.