Former Baltimore Teacher Sentenced to 35 Years for Child Sexual Abuse

A former teacher at The Gilman School in Baltimore, Christopher Kenji Bendann, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison following his conviction on charges related to child sexual exploitation. The sentencing, issued by U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar, includes lifetime supervised release after his imprisonment. The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat child sexual exploitation and hold offenders accountable.

The jury found Bendann guilty on multiple counts, including five charges of sexual exploitation of a child, three counts of possessing child sexual abuse material, and one count of cyberstalking. Evidence presented at trial revealed that between 2017 and 2019, Bendann produced explicit videos of a 16- and 17-year-old male student. Law enforcement uncovered these videos on his iCloud account, leading to additional charges of possession of explicit material.

From May to December 2022, Bendann further harassed the victim by sending coercive messages, demanding explicit images, and threatening to release compromising material if the victim did not comply. When arrested in February 2023, authorities discovered additional child sexual abuse content on his electronic devices.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative by the Department of Justice to combat child exploitation and rescue victims. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, in collaboration with the FBI, Baltimore County Police Department, and local prosecutors, conducted the investigation and prosecution.

Project Safe Childhood provides resources for public awareness and prevention of online child exploitation. More information can be found on the Department of Justice’s official website.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors.

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