Who Is Darren Benedick? Salem Academy Charter School Teacher Arrest

Darren Benedick is a man from Salem, Massachusetts. He was a teacher at Salem Academy Charter School.

Darren Benedick Arrest Details

Darren Benedick Arrested. “Darren Benedick, 42, of Salem, was arraigned in Newburyport District Court on Wednesday afternoon on charges of child enticement and dissemination of matter harmful to minors. The Essex County District Attorney’s Office said Benedick was arrested following a sting operation in which he allegedly made plans to meet an underaged girl for a sexual encounter. Authorities said the person he was communicating with online was not a 14-year-old girl but rather an undercover Newbury Police Department officer who had been monitoring a “teens-only” chat room.” [WCVB]

Police: Benedick Communicated With Undercover Cop. “According to Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker, Benedick was employed as a gym and health teacher at Salem Academy Charter School and had made plans in a “teens-only” chat room to meet with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl. The teen was actually an undercover officer, and Benedick allegedly expressed a desire to meet in person with the “teen” and engage in sexual activities. Charging documents say Benedick even sent an obscene image to the officer, and described in detail the sex acts he wanted to perform on her.” [Yahoo]

Multiple Charges Filed Against Benedick. “A meeting between Benedick and who he thought was a 14-year-old girl was set for Wednesday, and upon arrival, he was taken into custody by Newbury Police with assistance from Salem Police. Benedick is charged with one count of child enticement and one count of dissemination of matter harmful to minors. At Benedick’s arraignment, a judge set bail set at $5,000. He was given orders of GPS monitoring, home confinement and no contact with children.” [Masslive]

School: Benedick Placed On Leave. “We have been notified by the Salem Police Department that Salem Academy Health and PE teacher, Darren Benedick, was arrested today by Newbury Police and charged with one count of child enticement and one count of dissemination of matter harmful to minors. We immediately placed him on administrative leave. We are in communication with the police, and will cooperate with their ongoing investigation. Authorities stated they have not received any allegations that Salem Academy students were involved.” [Salem Academy Charter School Statement]