Salem Gym Teacher Arrested, Charged With Sexual Assault

A 42-year-old Salem teacher was arrested after allegedly trying to meet a teenage girl for sex, authorities said Wednesday.

Darren Benedick, a physical education and health teacher at Salem Academy Charter School, believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl when he “sent a lewd image” and arranged to meet for sexual activity, the Essex County District Attorney’s Office alleged.

It was actually an undercover Newbury police officer posing in a chat room reserved for “teenagers”, the prosecutor said.

Benedick allegedly contacted the undercover officer, who he thought was a teenage girl. He allegedly described the sexual acts he wanted to perform, posed the obscene image and arranged to meet on Wednesday. He was arrested upon arrival and charged with one count of child enticement and one count of disseminating material harmful to minors, the prosecutor said.

Authorities said there was no evidence that any students at the school were involved. Salem Academy Charter School Executive Director Stephanie Callahan said in a statement to Boston.com that Benedick was immediately placed on administrative leave.

“We are in contact with law enforcement and will cooperate with the ongoing investigation,” said the school’s superintendent, Stephanie Callahan. “Authorities said they have not received any allegations that any Salem Academy students were involved.”

Benedick pleaded not guilty in court Wednesday and was booked into the Essex County Correctional Facility.

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