Image credit: Gilman School. (2025, January 21). In Wikipedia.
Former Gilman School teacher Christopher Bendann was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for sexually abusing a teenage student and subjecting him to ongoing harassment, The Baltimore Sun reported yesterday. U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar handed down the sentence, which includes a lifetime of supervised release upon completion. “Mr. Bendann is a violator of private and public trust. He is a criminal. He is a predator,” Bredar stated during sentencing. Bendann, 40, was convicted in August on multiple charges, including five counts of sexual exploitation of a child, three counts of possessing child pornography, and one count of cyberstalking. Federal prosecutors described his actions as “the worst of human nature,” emphasizing the cruelty and manipulation he inflicted on his victims.
Details of the Abuse and Harassment
According to prosecutors, Bendann’s abuse began in 2017 when the victim was a sophomore at the prestigious all-boys Gilman School in Baltimore’s Roland Park neighborhood. He manipulated and groomed the teenager, coercing him into sexual acts while recording the abuse. FBI forensic experts later recovered incriminating footage despite Bendann’s attempts to delete the evidence. The abuse continued even after the victim left for college, with Bendann relentlessly messaging him and threatening exposure. The victim’s mother, speaking in court, described her son’s struggles with excessive drinking and social isolation stemming from the abuse, stating that their family blamed themselves for failing to see the warning signs earlier.
Two additional former Gilman students testified that Bendann subjected them to similar humiliating experiences, including forcing them to run “naked laps” in exchange for favors such as rides and alcohol. The prosecution also alleged that Bendann groomed other students, and although he was only charged with crimes against one victim, they argued that his predatory behavior was widespread.
Defense Arguments and Victim Statements
Bendann’s defense attorney sought to portray him as an admired educator who had positively influenced students’ lives. The attorney read numerous notes from former students expressing gratitude and admiration for Bendann, emphasizing his supposed dedication to their well-being. However, Judge Bredar dismissed these attempts, stating that Bendann’s actions were calculated and cold-hearted.
The victim’s father refuted the defense’s portrayal, asserting that Bendann’s reputation as an “amazing teacher” was a façade hiding his predatory nature. “Chris is not an amazing teacher. He is a predator,” the father said.
In his final statement, Bendann denied his guilt, asserting, “I am not a perfect person… but I am far from the monster the prosecution and these families made me out to be.” His remarks were criticized by the judge and the prosecution, who argued that his lack of remorse underscored the severity of his crimes.
Community Impact and Reactions
The case has sent shockwaves through the Gilman School community and beyond, raising concerns about safeguarding students in elite private schools. Prosecutors pointed to the systemic failures that allowed Bendann to operate unchecked for years. Parents of former students have called for stricter oversight and better reporting mechanisms to prevent similar cases in the future.
The Gilman School has recently faced other scrutiny due to its association with Luigi Mangione, a 2016 valedictorian and former student, who was arrested in December, in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
