Durango Police Department is renewing its call for potential victims of former Escalante Middle School teacher Benjamin Smith – arrested in July on suspicion of enticement of a minor – to come forward and report their encounters to investigators.
A federal indictment was handed down to the former teacher on Oct. 18, detailing 48 counts of coercion and enticement of a minor and possession of sexually explicit images of children.
He was arrested July 30 on suspicion of soliciting a 16-year-old child online to engage in sexual acts and arranging to meet the minor in person, allegedly posing on the social media app Snapchat as MTNCHICK69.
Durango police are working the case in partnership with the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations.
DPD is advising anyone who had contact with that Snapchat username to contact Homeland Security Investigation at 1-877-4-HSI-TIP.
According to a news release from the Durango Police Department, 30 victims were targeted under false pretenses from inside and outside of the community. DPD believes there are more victims, but declined to comment further regarding the investigation.
The encounters were based on sexual contact both in-person and through social media, according to the release.
Initial reports on Oct. 4 revealed that Smith allegedly possessed “numerous” sexually explicit photographs of over two dozen school-age minors living in the Durango area.
“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of every child in our community, and we're fully committed to pursuing justice,” said Durango Police Chief Brice Current in an interview Wednesday.
Durango Police Department is strongly urging the public to respect the sensitivity of the case.
Smith, who had originally been allowed to stay with family on the Front Range after his arrest, is now in custody. DPD declined to disclose where Smith is being held. Smith has been denied bail by a federal judge pending a trial.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families, and we're here to support them and guide them through this difficult time,” Current said.
DPD is in communication with Durango School District 9-R regarding students who have been impacted by the case.
Durango School District has been vocal about its support for students. Parents of students who have been impacted should contact their child’s counselor with requests for support.
The district is partnering with the Cook Center for Human Connection, which has provided webinars that span topics such as wellness and mental health.
Students who want to remain anonymous can use Safe2Tell by calling 1-877-542-SAFE, downloading the Safe2Tell mobile app or texting “S2TCO” to 738477.
Parents can also learn more about how to protect their children from exploitation by visiting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Know2Tell webpage.
DPD is encouraging residents to exercise caution when communicating with unfamiliar individuals both online and in-person.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
