A former Durango School District teacher who lured or attempted to lure dozens of minors into sexual encounters pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court.
Benjamin Smith, who taught music classes at Escalante Middle School, faced charges involving at least 37 victims, including coercion and enticement of a minor and possession of sexually explicit images of children.
He pleaded guilty Wednesday to three felony counts: coercion and enticement of minors, attempted coercion and enticement of minors, and production of sexually explicit images of children.
He faces 240 to 480 months in prison ‒ or 19 to 40 years – under terms of the plea agreement. Had he not struck a plea agreement, he was facing up to life in prison.
More than 24 hours after the plea, the federal court in Durango had not yet released Smith’s signed plea agreement.
Federal Magistrate Judge James M. Candelaria presided over the hearing.
Smith appeared in a yellow jail-issued jumpsuit, with his hands and feet restrained.
He was accused of inappropriately contacting at least 37 children between October 2022 and July 2024. Prosecutors said he enticed 36 victims to produce visual depictions of their bodies or engage in sexual activity.
Smith constructed an “elaborate ruse” by posing as a 16-year-old girl named Kristen on Snapchat under the username MTNCHK69, prosecutors said. He contacted boys younger than 18, sent fake images of nude women and persuaded them to send sexually explicit images of themselves.
Prosecutors said Smith also convinced victims to meet him in prearranged locations in his blue Subaru Outback, disguised himself with a wig and painted nails, and hid beneath a sheet with a hole cut into it. Victims, believing they were meeting a 16-year-old girl, allowed Smith to perform oral sex. Prosecutors said he secretly created audio recordings of the encounters.
Prosecutors said Smith was caught when a victim recognized him as a man under the sheet. Smith was able to close the car door and drive away, but not before the victim memorized part of his license plate number, prosecutors said.
The victim called authorities, who tracked the plate back to a blue Subaru Outback registered to Smith.
Investigators obtained a warrant to seize digital devices belonging to Smith, and a car matching the description was found at his house near Schneider Park with a blanket in the back.
Smith was arrested July 25, 2024, while teaching a music class at a church.
An early search of his phone found he had sent about 45,000 messages under the Snapchat username MTNCHK69. Records of conversations between Smith and two other Snapchat users showed about 200 messages contained sexually explicit language and suggestions. He was held and later released on $5,000 bail.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, plea agreements can sometimes result in reduced sentences, though the magistrate judge said the court is not obligated to accept the agreement.
In a prepared statement, the school district said the case has been painful for the children harmed, their families and the entire school community.
“Our hearts remain with the victims, and we hope for their continued healing and recovery,” the statement said. “This has also been incredibly difficult for students, staff, and families, who were shocked by the crimes that later came to light.”
In an email to The Durango Herald, district spokeswoman Karla Sluis said the school district has a robust vetting process and completes all required state and federal background checks.
In November 2024, the district issued a statement describing its hiring practices.
“As part of the district’s standard hiring practices, we conduct thorough background checks on all employees,” the statement said. “We uphold the highest standards to protect our students. While we cannot provide specific information about personnel matters, we assure our community that all necessary actions have been taken and will continue to be taken to ensure student safety.”
Sluis said no red flags were raised when the district hired Smith.
“Durango School District followed all legally required hiring and background-check processes, and there was no information available at the time of hire that would have indicated or predicted the criminal acts that later occurred,” she said in an email to the Herald.
Because the district follows all legally required hiring processes, it has not updated its vetting process, she said.
“Even so, this case is a sobering reminder that safeguarding children requires constant vigilance from all adults,” Sluis said.
She encouraged students, staff and community members to report concerning behavior immediately to law enforcement or through Safe2Tell, Colorado’s anonymous reporting system, at (877) 542-7233 (SAFE).
“Speaking up can prevent harm and help keep children safe,” Sluis said.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. April 22 in U.S. District Court.
sedmondson@durangoherald.com
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