News

Kent-area coach accused of sending nude photos to boys

COVINGTON, Wash. — An assistant cheerleading coach at Kentwood High School is accused of sending pictures of his genitals to boys on the cheer squad.

Benjamin Canty, 29, has been removed from his coaching position at the school and at a private company in Kent. He faces two counts of communication with a minor for immoral purposes.

One of the alleged victims told the head cheerleading coach about the pictures in July. The coach then reported it to district officials, according to the Kent School District.

A district spokesman says the district immediately removed Canty from the cheer program.

Police have been investigating the allegations since the summer and now charges have been filed.

The Kentwood High School cheerleading squad made it to the State Cheer Championships in 2015 as seen in YouTube video.

It was that year and the year before that Canty is accused of sending two male cheerleaders pictures of his genitals.

The Kent School District says Canty was an unpaid volunteer in the high school’s cheer program for seven years.

“Any time something like this happens, we're heartsick. This is not something we take lightly," said Chris Loftis, spokesman of the Kent School District.

The alleged victims, 15 and 17 at the time, told police they received pictures from Canty over SnapChat, a video messaging app where pictures are deleted after several seconds.

According to charging documents obtained by KIRO 7 News, one boy said "pictures would show Canty lying on his bed by a Kentwood H.S. blanket."

Canty allegedly asked both of the minors for pictures of their genitals.

In one instance, Canty reportedly offered one of the teens “8 free private tumbling lessons” a $500 value if he sent pictures of his genitals.

Neither teen sent pictures to Canty.

Loftis said 4,500 volunteers, including Canty, are checked and pass yearly state background checks.

"If what's alleged to have transpired, transpired, then obviously someone has violated that trust and lost credibility and has taken advantage of that opportunity,” he said.

Canty also coached cheerleaders at South Elite All Stars, a private company in Kent.

Employees asked parents to block KIRO 7’s camera after declining to comment on the allegations.

An employee confirmed a picture KIRO 7 found online is Canty and said that he no longer coaches at South Elite.

Kentwood alum Kaleb Swain played football and ran track at the school and explained that students and coaches at the school have a special bond.

"Here at Kentwood, we're usually really close with our coaches but never that close," he said, adding that he is shocked at the allegations.

Canty is expected to be arraigned on two counts of communication with a minor for immoral purposes on March 7th.