A Maryland teacher, who once earned a “Teacher of the Year” title, has been arrested for allegedly grooming a 15-year-old boy over several weeks. This information comes from the police.
Dennis Jutras, 61, was taken into custody on Thursday at a local park after trying to meet what he thought was the teenager. He had been sending explicit photos and unsettling messages to an undercover officer posing online as the boy, during an operation aimed at catching child predators, according to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.
The ongoing conversation reportedly took place over a span of two weeks between Jutras and the decoy, who was presented as a teenage boy.
According to authorities, Jutras initiated contact on social media on May 7, revealing his long tenure as a teacher at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and subsequent advancement in the school district.
The suspect allegedly engaged in an intimate and sexual dialogue before sharing obscene images.
Once the fictional teen arranged to meet Jutras at a park in Harford County, police apprehended him as he arrived.
Jutras has been in his role within the school district for nearly 27 years. He was recognized as Baltimore’s “Teacher of the Year” in 2005, while serving as a social studies teacher, with the district’s announcement highlighting his status as an “outstanding” educator.
At present, he works as a coordinator for advanced learning for students from preschool through 12th grade, a position he has held since 2013, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Following his arrest, he has been placed on administrative leave, with Baltimore City Schools announcing this decision on Tuesday.
In a statement, school officials noted, “While Mr. Jutras was responsible for working with schools and students as part of the Gifted and Advanced Learning Program, we are not aware of the impact on city school students.” They urged anyone with information regarding the case to reach out to the sheriff’s office, emphasizing that the health and safety of students is their top priority.
Currently, Jutras is being held at the Harford County Detention Center without bail.
