Mounds View High teacher Ted Bennett charged with sex crimes; investigators seek more victims
Ted Bennett, a 58-year-old English teacher who had taught at Mounds View High for roughly 26–27 years, was arrested at his Minneapolis home and charged with third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct alleging sexual contact with a 16-year-old student. Authorities say texts, surveillance and phone evidence allege multiple incidents — including encounters in vehicles and a school theater storage room — and that Bennett provided alcohol and Adderall to the student; investigators have opened a tip line seeking other potential victims.
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📌 Key Facts
- The suspect is Ted Bennett, 58, a longtime English language arts teacher at Mounds View High School (reported as having worked there about 26–27 years).
- The alleged victim is a minor student — reports identify the student as either 16 or 17 years old.
- Bennett has been charged with one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a student.
- Authorities allege sexual contact began in October and occurred multiple times, including in vehicles and inside a back room/storage area of the school theater during school hours; school surveillance reportedly shows them entering a storage closet together.
- Complaint and phone evidence allege Bennett provided the student alcohol and Adderall (texts claim he had “like 400” pills), discussed cocaine, sent pornographic clips, and exchanged graphic sexual messages — including texts urging the student to add “illegal behaviors to the list” and to “lie” and “delete everything.”
- Timeline in the complaint: alleged meetings on Nov. 6 and Nov. 8 when substances were given; the student reported the conduct to police Nov. 10; a search warrant was executed and Bennett was arrested Nov. 11 at his north Minneapolis residence.
- During the Nov. 11 search/arrest, police reportedly found Bennett in a vehicle with an overnight bag and seized electronic devices and handwritten notes from the student; he is being held in the Ramsey County Jail and had an initial court appearance scheduled shortly after arrest.
- Ramsey County law enforcement believes there may be multiple prior victims and has opened a tip line; Mounds View High School principal Rob Reetz placed Bennett on administrative leave and emailed families, condemning actions that harm or exploit students while citing the active investigation.
📰 Sources (5)
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.