Mounds View high school teacher accused of student sexual assault
Ted Matthew Bennett, 58, of Minneapolis, is charged with third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving penetration and contact with someone under 18 years old while in a prohibited occupational relationship, both felonies.
*Disclaimer: Criminal complaints are based off law enforcement’s and prosecutor's interpretation of what a defendant did. They should not be considered factual by the public. All those charged with crimes are innocent until proven in a court of law. Any accusation in the below story comes from court documents unless expressly noted.*
ST. PAUL – A long-time Mounds View English teacher is accused of grooming a teenage female student, which eventually culminated into several sexual assaults against the girl, according to charges filed last week in Ramsey County District Court.
Ted Matthew Bennett, 58, of Minneapolis, is charged with third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving penetration and contact with someone under 18 years old while in a prohibited occupational relationship, both felonies.
Bennett is accused of sexting with his 16 year-old female student and sexually assaulting her both on and off school grounds, according to the criminal complaint signed by Ramsey County Deputy Sheriff Molly Grandner and Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Karen Kugler.
He began grooming the girl as her English teacher during the 2024-2025 school year and into last summer, the girl told police.
Bennett’s sexual assaults against the girl started in October 2025, according to law enforcement.
Police found sexually explicit text messages between the girl and Bennett where he called her a “fucking slut,” according to Grandner’s complaint.
Text messages between the two also imply that Bennett gave the girl Adderall and alcohol, as well.
In addition, Mounds View Principle Rob Reetz gave police a video of Bennett and the girl going into a school storage closet together.
After the school put Bennett on administrative leave after he reported for sexually assaulting a student, Bennett told the girl to “lie to them and delete everything.”
Bennett was arrested on Nov. 11.
During a Nov. 13 hearing, Judge Paul Yang ordered that Bennett be released on a $75,000 bond provided he has no contact with the girl.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2026.
***For help following a sexual assault, please visit the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault to find advocacy and medical services.***
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