[News] Ohio teacher arrested over sexual abuse with student which began when she was 14 and lasted for 5 years

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the arrest of an Ohio middle school teacher and coach, over an alleged sexual misconduct with a student which began when the victim was 14 and lasted for five years.

40-year-old Benjamin Rutan, was charged after the victim went to authorities last month. She was given a recording device on December 2, with which she captured Rutan allegedly admitting his conduct multiple times during a conversation.

The teacher who has not entered a plea deal, was booked into a Franklin County jail on two felony counts of sexual battery and one felony count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. No attorney who might speak on his behalf was named and he is being held on a cash bond of $50,000.

Norton Middle School in the South-Western City School District just outside of Columbus has now issued a statement, saying that the teacher had been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

In an arrest document obtained by the two news outlets, it was gathered that the first encounter between Rutan and the former student occurred in June 2013, when the girl was 14. At the time Rutan was the girl’s language arts teacher and track and basketball coach.

The arrest document alleges the two engaged in sexual contact several times a week at locations on school property that included the teacher’s classroom, in his coach’s office and in a school parking lot. The alleged contact also occurred at other sites off campus in Franklin County.

The alleged contact between the two ended in 2018, when the victim was 19, according to the arrest document.

The statement released by the school district read;

“Today, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, we learned one of our teachers was taken into custody by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for alleged sexual misconduct matters involving a former student.

“We’re working in full cooperation with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

“As soon as we were made aware of the charges, the district placed the teacher on administrative leave pending an investigation.

“Please know that the safety and security of our students are our top priority. We thank you for your understanding and support as we work through our disciplinary and legal processes.”