By: Tracie Carter
A 72-year-old West Milford man who provided private music lessons to a teenager has been arrested following an investigation into allegations involving inappropriate conduct with the student.
According to information released by Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, John Bendzak was taken into custody Wednesday, August 12, following an investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit.
Authorities said the investigation began after detectives were notified on July 22 that Bendzak allegedly attempted to have an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old minor who was receiving private music lessons from him.
Investigators allege Bendzak communicated with the teenager during June and attempted to engage in sexual conduct with the student on July 9 at a residence in West Milford.
Following that alleged incident, prosecutors said Bendzak sent harassing communications to the teenager.
Based on the investigation, authorities obtained a warrant for Bendzak’s arrest.
Members of the Special Victims Unit located and arrested Bendzak Wednesday morning in the area of Morsetown Road in West Milford.
Prosecutor Valdes said Bendzak was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and fourth-degree stalking.
If convicted, the second-degree charge carries a potential sentence of five to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison, while the stalking charge carries up to 18 months.
Bendzak was scheduled to appear in court Thursday for Criminal Judicial Processing and was expected to be released under pretrial monitoring.