Plea deal in the works for Mounds View high school teacher accused of student sexual assault

*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 former Mounds View teacher accused of sexually assaulting a student may avoid a trial if he can come to agreement with the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, according to the man’s lawyer.

The possible plea deal was announced Thursday during a hearing before Judge Andrew Gordon in a Ramsey County District Courtroom.

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.

In a separate but related case, Bennett is also accused with witness tampering after talking with the girl he is accused of assaulting after the initial sexual assault charges were filed.

An attempt by Bennett to dismiss that charge due to a lack of probable cause was also blocked during Thursday’s hearing, with Judge Gordon saying he believed there was probable cause in the criminal complaint.

Gordon released Bennett on a $40,000 bond in February for that case, provided he has no contact with the victim and he completes a mental health evaluation.

Bennett 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 prosecutors.

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 for allegedly sexually assaulting a student, Bennett told the girl to “lie to them and delete everything.”

His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 7 at 1:30 p.m.

***For help following a sexual assault, please visit the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault to find advocacy and medical services.***