Bayville Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Abuse Charges

A former music teacher from Bayville pleaded guilty to sexually abusing his students in State Supreme Court Monday, Newsday reported.

John Benstock, 49, of Bayville, reportedly pleaded guilty to four counts of second degree sexual abuse and 10 counts of endangering the welfare of a child. His case was heard by acting State Supreme Court Justice William Donnino.

Thanks to a plea agreement, Benstock will serve no prison time, but will instead be on probation for six years and required to register as a sex offender for at least 20 years, said the report.

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In accordance with his plea, Benstock admitted he forced his Bayville and Locust Valley students to play games and made some of them touch him inappropriately through his clothing, said the report. The incidents took place between 2000 and 2011.

Prosecutors said parents of the victims approved of the plea agreement because it brought the case to an end, said Newsday. They added Benstock has lost his license, which protects potential victims.

"That sentence sends a message of tolerance, not deterrence," executive director of Parents for Megan's Law Laura Ahern told Newsday.

Pleading guilty and taking responsibility for his actions was the best way to move on, lawyer Chad Siegel told Newsday.

According the the report, Locust Valley school district Superintendent Anna Hunderfund said in a statement:

"The Locust Valley Central School District has been notified that John Benstock pleaded guilty to a number of charges today," Hunderfund said. "Mr. Benstock has not taught students in . . . Locust Valley since May of 2011 and is no longer employed by the district.

"As always, the health and safety of our students and staff will continue to be our first priority."