Sexually explicit threatening texts in trial against former Gilman School teacher

BALTIMORE – Prosecutors presented their final evidence before moving forward with their charges against former Gilman schoolteacher Christopher Bendann in his April 17 trial. Charged with child pornography, child exploitation and cyberstalking.

“We were absolutely devastated. We were devastated,” a friend of the victim said of his reaction when he heard about the alleged sexual abuse.

Bendann met the victim during his time at the private school in North Baltimore.

“I know personally that this was the first time I experienced tremendous emotional distress,” the friend said in court. “I don't know if anyone at any age is ready to hear that their best friend was sexually abused.”

He said the Allegations against Bendann were surprised by someone he considered a “friend and mentor.”

“He was a monster,” the friend testified.

WJZ does not identify victims of sexual abuse.

During the prosecution's trial, the jury saw sensitive videos of the victim. The prosecution alleges that Bendann forced him to make the videos, then blackmailed him and sent threatening text messages to the victim.

They spent hours reading these texts into the minutes.

In some of the texts, Bendann appeared obsessed, at one point telling the victim, “I'm going to unleash hell” if he didn't immediately respond to requests for nude photos and videos. He warned, “If you ignore me, it's only going to get worse.”