Arden Hills Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student, Giving Her Drugs

SAINT PAUL, MN — A longtime Arden Hills high school teacher is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old student and providing her drugs and alcohol over several weeks this fall, according to prosecutors.

Ted Matthew Bennett, 58, was charged Wednesday with third-degree criminal sexual conduct and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, both felonies.

According to the complaint, police were called to a high school on the 1900 block of Lake Valentine Road on Nov. 10 after school staff received a report of an inappropriate relationship between Bennett and the student.

Investigators said Bennett engaged in sexual contact with the student between Oct. 15 and Nov. 10.

A search of the student's phone revealed messages in which Bennett described explicit sexual acts, including digital penetration, and referred to the student using graphic and degrading language, according to the criminal complaint.

Investigators also said Bennett supplied the student with alcohol and narcotics.

On Nov. 2, when the student told Bennett she was struggling and had discussed Adderall with a friend, Bennett replied, "I have like 400 pills.. it’s so easy to get on it," according to the criminal complaint.

Four days later, Bennett met with the student in the school parking lot and gave her alcohol and Adderall, police said.

The student told police the sexual contact began in October. She also reported that Bennett sent her pornographic video clips, the criminal complaint states.

Bennett, who had taught at the school for 27 years, was seen walking with the student in hallways, entering a storage closet with her, and meeting with her alone despite her not being enrolled in his classes this semester, authorities said.

Staff also provided emails showing contact between Bennett and the student on school accounts before he switched to personal email, according to police.

On Nov. 11, the day after the initial report, police executed a search warrant at Bennett’s Minneapolis home and found him in his car with an overnight bag, according to the complaint.

He was taken into custody, and several electronic devices and handwritten notes were seized.

During their final phone call, the complaint says Bennett told the student he had been placed on administrative leave, adding, "I was fired, lie to them and delete everything."

Surveillance video from the school showed the student crying on the phone and dropping to her knees.

The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office believes there may be additional victims. Bennett remains held on $100,000 bail.