Auburn resident Benjamin David Canty, was arraigned Monday and entered a not guilty plea to two counts of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.
A case setting hearing is set for April 26 at the RJC.
According to charging papers, Canty, 29, a volunteer assistant cheerleading coach at Kentwood High School and a coach with a private cheerleading club in Kent, sent nude pictures of himself to a 15-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy via Snapchat.
According to charging papers, the incidents with the 15-year-old occurred from Dec. 1, 2014 to July 31, 2015, and from April 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 with the 17-year-old.
Both boys were cheerleaders at Kentwood High School.
According to the charging documents, Canty was a coach for the 15-year-old at “a private club, South Elite Cheerleading.” Canty is not listed as a staff member on the club’s website.
According to charging documents, in August 2015 the director of human resources for the Kent School District contacted the King County Sheriff’s Office and “reported that they had been told about a coach sending nude pictures, of himself to students.”
When interviewed by the investigating officer, the 15-year-old said Canty began sending nude photos of himself prior to cheer camp in December 2014.
“…the pictures would show (suspect) Canty lying on his bed by a Kentwood HS blanket…. He said the messages and pictures would always come at late at night. He said first (suspect) Canty would Snapchat him a message to get his attention and then the next one would be a (nude photo).”
The boy told investigators the last time Canty sent nude photos he asked the boy to send nude photos to him. Canty told the boy if he sent photos of himself he would, “give him 8 free private tumbling lessons.” The document stated the eight lessons cost about $500.
The 17 year old said Canty would send nude photos at about 1 a.m. The boy said Canty would text he was, “under the influence of alcohol.”
The document stated the boy said, “… all pictures and messages were sent via Snapchat. He said (suspect) Canty would always send a normal picture of himself and then follow-up with an inappropriate picture.”
The sheriff’s office served a search warrant on Snapchat, which showed the 15-year-old boy was one of Canty’s contacts.
Canty is not listed on the King County jail roster. The charging documents stated Canty has retained an attorney.
The charges are class C felonies. Canty does not have prior convictions according to the prosecutor.
The prosecutor requested the court issue Canty restraining orders for both boys and a no contact order for minors.
