A former teacher at the Gilman School is scheduled to stand trial on Wednesday in federal court on charges alleging that he victimized a student and recorded videos of the sexual abuse.
Chris Bendann is set to appear in U.S. District Court in Baltimore for jury selection. He’s accused of sexually abusing a student on five occasions between Sept. 16, 2017, and Feb. 9, 2019, and recording eight explicit videos.
Here’s what you need to know:
Who is Chris Bendann?
Bendann, 40, of Baltimore, is a 2003 graduate of the Gilman School who worked at the private, independent all-boys school in Roland Park from 2007-2023, according to his LinkedIn page.
Besides teaching geography and social studies, Bendann had also held other roles, including admissions officer.
What are the allegations in the case?
Federal prosecutors allege that Bendann would give rides to the student and his friends after they had been drinking in exchange for them running laps naked at Meadowood Regional Park and a hill at the St. Paul’s Schools.
During these rides, Bendann demanded that the student get naked and masturbate, prosecutors assert. Later, they claim, Bendann started to touch the student’s genitals.
Bendann, prosecutors report, sexually abused the student at his home or while housesitting for other families and recorded videos.
If he did not comply with demands, Bendann threatened to expose sexually explicit images, prosecutors allege.
“Puppy,” Bendann texted the student on Dec. 7, 2022, when he was an adult. “Puppy respond.”
The Baltimore Banner does not identify people without their permission who report that they’re survivors of sexual abuse.
What charges does Bendann face?
Bendann faces nine counts:
- Sexual exploitation of a child (five counts)
- Possession of child pornography (three counts)
- Cyberstalking (one count)
Sexual exploitation of a child carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.
How did we get here?
In a letter on Jan. 20, 2023, Gilman Head of School Henry P.A. Smyth wrote that the school fired Bendann after learning of several reports of “inappropriate, out-of-school conduct with students.”
Police executed a search and seizure warrant at Bendann’s home in the Rodgers Forge neighborhood in Towson on Feb. 3, 2023, and arrested him.
Bendann was initially charged in Baltimore County with sexual abuse of a minor, rape, perverted practice and related offenses. He was later released on home detention to await trial.
As part of the investigation, the FBI took possession of 18 electronic devices that law enforcement had seized during the search. But investigators could not examine them for several months while both sides litigated legal issues under seal.
A federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment against Bendann on Aug. 16, 2023, and police two days later arrested him. Bendann was hit on May 29 with three additional charges.
He remains in custody at the Chesapeake Detention Facility.
What has Bendann said about the accusations?
From the beginning, Bendann has maintained his innocence.
In private posts on Facebook and Instagram, Bendann wrote that the allegations were false. He said he was unfortunately one of more than 3,000 people in the United States who since 1989 have been wrongfully accused of crimes.
“Sadly in a court of public opinion, one is guilty until proven innocent,” he said. “That is wrong. I know that many rumors have circulated about this case. While my accuser has had free reign to share his narrative through his lawyer, I will have my day in court and set the record straight.”
He later held a news conference with his attorney at the time, Kobie Flowers, on the steps of the Baltimore County Courts Building and again professed his innocence.
Who are the lawyers on the case?
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colleen McGuinn and Kim Hagan are prosecuting the case. Meanwhile, Christopher Nieto and Gary Proctor are representing Bendann.
U.S. Senior District Judge James K. Bredar is set to preside over the trial.
How long is the trial expected to last?
The trial could last up to two weeks.
