Former principal Todd Bender sentenced in child molestation case

Former Ferris High School assistant principal Todd Bender will spend 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to child molestation, Spokane County Superior Court Judge Harold Clarke III ruled Friday morning.

Bender pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree child molestation April 7. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors agreed not to charge Bender for allegedly molesting the same teen boy in Pend Oreille County, which would have added significantly to his sentence.

Clarke followed the joint sentencing recommendation, which is the low end of the standard range for that crime.

Bender apologized to his victim, the boy’s family and the school district at his sentencing hearing Friday.

His attorney, Robert Schiffner, said Bender was sincerely apologetic.

“I fully expect Mr. Bender to reintegrate into the community and I fully expect him to be a productive member of society,” he said.

Bender has been in jail since August, when he violated his release conditions by driving by the victim’s house. He should receive credit for about 300 days in jail prior to sentencing, Schiffner said, but that decision will ultimately be up to the Department of Corrections.

Bender will have to register as a sex offender and will be under correctional supervision for three years following his release.