English teacher at Mounds View High School accused of having sexual contact with student

A Minneapolis man who has taught at Mounds View High School for 27 years is accused of having sexual contact with a 16-year-old student and supplying her with alcohol and Adderall.

Ted M. Bennett, 58, was charged Wednesday with two felony counts of criminal sexual conduct. He is in custody at the Ramsey County jail and is scheduled to have his first court appearance Thursday. He resigned from his teaching position, the school said.

Court records did not list an attorney for Bennett on Wednesday.

Rob Reetz, the principal of Mounds View High School in Arden Hills, said in a statement the administration is “deeply disturbed by this news, and our foremost concern is for all who may be affected by this distressing situation.”

“We will continue to take every step necessary to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.”

According to the criminal complaint, which cites evidence recovered from a police search of the victim’s phone:

The victim was a student in Bennett’s English class during the 2024-2025 school year. The two began communicating through email and personal phones that spring.

On Friday, two friends of the victim reported concerns to school staff about her relationship with Bennett. They said the victim had been “seeing” Bennett since the summer, often visited him in his classroom alone despite not having classes with him, and would do “sexual things” with him during the school day.

On Monday, Bennett texted the victim: “I was fired, lie to them and delete everything.”

Bennett was arrested Tuesday. He declined to speak with police.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi called the case “a parent’s worst nightmare.”