Massachusetts teacher charged after police raid, accused of trying to meet girl for ‘sex acts’

A Salem teacher has been charged following a police sting operation after he allegedly tried to meet a minor for “sexual acts.”

Darren Benedick, 42, a sports and health teacher, was apparently unaware that the person he was communicating with online was not a 14-year-old girl, but rather an undercover Newbury police officer monitoring a “teenagers only” chat room.

The Salem Academy Charter School teacher was arrested by Newbury police, with assistance from Salem police. He was charged with one count of child enticement and one count of disseminating material harmful to minors.

“At this time, authorities have no allegations that any students at the school were victims of the defendant’s alleged misconduct,” the Essex District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

Benedick was arraigned in Newburyport District Court on Wednesday following the sting operation.

“The defendant allegedly engaged in online conversations with the undercover officer, expressing a desire to meet in person and engage in sexual activity, allegedly sent the officer a lewd image, and allegedly described sexual acts he wanted to perform,” the Essex District Attorney’s Office said.

Benedick had planned to meet the person on Wednesday, and he was taken into custody when he arrived for the scheduled meeting.