Former Ferris High School assistant principal to plead guilty to child molestation

The former assistant principal at Ferris High School will plead guilty to child molestation charges Thursday, his attorney confirmed.

Todd Bender was first arrested on Nov. 18, 2014, after a victim reported that Bender had sexually molested him several times in 2011. The teen, who is now an adult, told police that Bender gave him alcohol and then put his hand down the boy’s pants, according to court documents.

Bender was a family friend of the teen’s and was also his football coach.

Bender reportedly admitted the incidents to police, but said the sexual encounters were initiated by the teen, according to court documents. Bender posted a $50,000 bond and was ordered to have no contact with the teen.

However, he was rearrested on Aug. 5 after the teen and his father told police they saw Bender drive by their home in violation of the protection order signed by the judge.

He has been in Spokane County Jail ever since.

He is facing between 15 and 20 months in prison on charges of child molestation and violation of a protection order.

Bender, who resigned from Spokane Public Schools shortly after his first arrest, had worked at Ferris High School since 1995 as an English teacher and coach before becoming the assistant principal.