Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Benjamin T. Schwitters, a former Cyprus High School teacher, faces charges of sexually abusing a student in 2022.
- He allegedly engaged in inappropriate conduct with a 17-year-old girl, including asking personal questions and inappropriate touching.
- Schwitters resigned during an investigation; prosecutors request he be held without bail.
MAGNA — A former teacher at Cyprus High School was charged Tuesday with sexually abusing a student in 2022.
Benjamin T. Schwitters, 34, of Magna, is charged in 3rd District Court with two counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony.
Schwitters is accused of inappropriate behavior with a 17-year-old girl in 2022. He asked the girl "to stay after school and be his assistant" one day and then asked her questions about her sex life, including "would (she) ever do it with a teacher?" according to charging documents.
In another incident, Schwitters touched the girl inappropriately while she was standing on a chair and helping him put items away during lunch, the charges allege.
"(Schwitters) is currently still employed as a teacher and therefore, the state requests (he) be held without bail," prosecutors wrote in the court documents.
The Granite School District says Schwitters resigned while being investigated earlier this year. He had been an automotive shop instructor at Cyprus High School since 2019, according to his LinkedIn page.
In a prepared statement Tuesday afternoon, the school district said the investigation into Schwitters began in June.
"The district placed the employee on administrative leave on Aug. 1, pending the outcome of an investigation into the employee's conduct while the former student attended Cyprus High School. The district investigated concerns about possible grooming, and the employee resigned his employment prior to the completion of the administrative process."
Despite his resignation, Granite police continued its investigation and screened the case with the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office.
"Student safety is our primary concern and all employees are required to clear background checks, as well as adhere to a strict code of conduct with respect to student interactions. The allegations are disturbing and the district and school are disheartened that an individual who passed the necessary background checks and was entrusted with student care, would violate that trust so egregiously," the district said.
