TWIN FALLS — The jury trial for a Twin Falls teacher accused of raping a former student will go ahead as planned.

Jason Lee Benjamin, 39, appeared in court at a pretrial hearing Monday, where his attorney confirmed he will come before a jury later this month.

Benjamin, who was most recently a math teacher at Robert Stuart Middle School, was arrested in December after allegations surfaced that he raped a 17-year-old student he had taught at Canyon Ridge High School.

The victim was a student of Benjamin’s at Canyon Ridge during the 2016-17 school year; the pair reconnected last fall when the girl added Benjamin on Facebook.

The former student told police that she had visited Benjamin’s home several times in October to “make out” and watch movies, and sent Benjamin unsolicited photos of herself in her underwear.

Benjamin admitted to police that he and the girl had sex once and said he knew she was 17 at the time.

He has been charged with one count of rape under a statute that applies when a victim is 16 or 17 years old and the perpetrator is at least three years older.

Benjamin worked at Twin Falls schools for 12 years, according to the district. While teaching at Canyon Ridge, Benjamin also served as an assistant coach for the track and cross country teams.

A jury trial is scheduled for April 18.