BOISE, ID — A Bingham County man has been arrested on charges related to the alleged exploitation of a child, according to the Idaho Attorney General’s Office.

Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced Tuesday that investigators with the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit arrested 34-year-old Benjamin Simms on March 12. He faces one count of possession of child sexual exploitation material and one count of lewd and lascivious conduct.

At the time of his arrest, Simms was employed as a teacher at a charter school in Idaho Falls. Authorities said the charges are not connected to his employment and that investigators have found no evidence that any students were victimized.

“The charges listed above are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty,” the release stated.

Labrador said multiple law enforcement agencies across eastern Idaho assisted in the investigation and arrest, including local sheriff’s offices and police departments.

“I’m grateful to our law enforcement partners across eastern Idaho who helped with this arrest and share our commitment to keeping Idaho families safe,” Labrador said.

The ICAC Unit works with a statewide task force of federal, state, and local agencies to investigate and prosecute internet crimes involving the exploitation of children.

Anyone with information related to child exploitation is encouraged to contact local law enforcement, the ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.