Dennis Jutras, 61, a longtime Baltimore educator and former teacher of the year, was apprehended on May 13 and charged with sexual solicitation of a minor after police claim he attempted to meet someone he thought was 15 years old. Authorities said the alleged relationship began on a hookup website and progressed to sexually explicit text messages and photographs. Jutras has administrative experience with Baltimore City Public Schools and taught social studies at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute for over a decade. The district says he has been removed from active duty while the criminal issue is being handled.
According to The Baltimore Banner, Jutras was arrested on May 13 after allegedly messaging an officer posing as a high school student called “Aiden” on a hookup site. According to the documents acquired by the publication, the two agreed to meet in a Bel Air park on May 14 and sent increasingly explicit text messages, including many sexual photographs. According to the documents, his profile stated that he was looking for “younger verbally dominant men” and characterized himself as an instructor who has taught AP US History and US government.
Jutras is listed as the district’s coordinator for gifted and advanced learning by Baltimore City Public Schools, and he appears to work across many schools on staff profiles. According to Baltimore City Public Schools records and Maryland State Department of Education archives, he has previously received Teacher of the Year honors. These records detail his efforts supervising advanced learning programs and visiting schools around the district.
Jutras appeared before Harford County District Judge Tracey J. Delp and was ordered held without bond, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 12, according to The Baltimore Banner. According to the Banner, Baltimore City Public Schools spokesperson Sherry Christian stated that Jutras was “immediately removed from duty” after the district learned of the charges and that anyone with information should call the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. According to court papers, Jutras’ counsel is Michael Schaech of Havre de Grace. The charges in the affidavit are allegations, and the defendant is deemed innocent unless proven guilty.
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