Salem gym teacher charged after allegedly trying to meet up with teen girl for sex

A 42-year-old teacher from Salem was arrested after he allegedly attempted to meet up with a teen girl for sex, officials announced Wednesday.

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

Instead, it was an undercover Newbury police officer posing in a “teens-only” chatroom, the DA said.

Benedick allegedly made contact with the undercover officer who he thought was a teen girl. He allegedly described the sex acts he wanted to do, set the obscene image, and set up a meeting for Wednesday. He was arrested when he arrived and charged with one count of child enticement and one count of dissemination of matter harmful to minors, the DA said.

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

“We are in communication with the police, and will cooperate with their ongoing investigation,” the school’s Executive Director Stephanie Callahan said. “Authorities stated they have not received any allegations that Salem Academy students were involved.”

Benedick pleaded not guilty in court Wednesday and was committed to the Essex County House of Correction.