Ex-Brewer High Staffer Sentenced for Sexual Assault of a Student

A former Athletic Trainer at Brewer High School received a prison sentence for the sexual abuse of a student.

Who Was the Trainer?

Benjamin Pushard, 29, of Brewer pleaded guilty in April to one count each of gross sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact, and criminal restraint. He was sentenced in a Bangor courtroom on Tuesday to nine years in prison with all but three years suspended, followed by six years of probation. In addition, he will have to register as a sex offender for life.

When Did This Happen?

According to an indictment in 2022, the abuse took place between April 1 and May 10, 2015. However, allegations weren't revealed until the Spring of 2021, when the victim sued Pushard, the Brewer School Department, and Pushard's employer. He was not an employee of Brewer High School, but was contracted by the department to provide athletic training services. According to the BDN, the victim filed the lawsuit in federal court before she reported the abuse to police.

How Old Were Pushard and the Victim At the Time of the Abuse?

When the abuse began, officials say the victim was 13 and Pushard was 20.

She is now 22-years-old and is seeking $5 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages in a lawsuit pending in U.S. District Court in Bangor. That trial is set to start on February 1st.