Former School Employee Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges

Benjamin Rees faces felony counts for alleged online sexual activity with a minor

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:04am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a broken cell phone screen, shattered and cracked, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the investigative nature of a child exploitation case without depicting any violence or victims.The shattered digital evidence at the heart of a troubling child exploitation case exposes the darker corners of online interactions.Fort Collins Today

Fort Collins Police Services has arrested a 29-year-old former school employee, Benjamin Rees, on felony charges related to the alleged sexual exploitation of a child. Rees is accused of sending sexual images to a juvenile female and attempting to engage in sexual activity online over a one-month period beginning in November 2025.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of protecting minors from online predators, especially those who may have access to children through positions of authority. It also underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and swift action by law enforcement to identify and apprehend suspects involved in the exploitation of vulnerable youth.

The details

According to investigators, police were first notified in December 2025 of a digital relationship between an adult male and a juvenile female that began through a messaging app. Detectives identified the suspect as Benjamin Rees and determined that he allegedly sent sexual images to the minor and attempted to engage in sexual activity online over a period of about one month, beginning in November 2025. Rees was arrested on April 6 and booked into the Larimer County Jail on multiple charges, including a Class 4 felony for internet sexual exploitation of a child and a Class 6 felony for promotion of obscenity to a minor.

  • Police were first notified of the alleged relationship in December 2025.
  • The alleged incidents occurred over a one-month period beginning in November 2025.
  • Rees was arrested on April 6, 2026.

The players

Benjamin Rees

A 29-year-old former employee of Blevins Middle School who has been arrested on felony charges related to the alleged sexual exploitation of a child.

Fort Collins Police Services

The law enforcement agency that conducted the investigation and made the arrest.

Poudre School District

The school district that employed Rees, who has not worked for the district since April 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Authorities are asking anyone who may have been affected or who has additional information about similar behavior to come forward.”

— Fort Collins Police Services

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on the suspect's bail status at a hearing on April 12.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and proactive measures to protect children from online predators, especially those who may have access to minors through positions of authority. It underscores the importance of swift law enforcement action and community cooperation to identify and apprehend suspects involved in the exploitation of vulnerable youth.