A convicted sex offender was arrested in Fairfax County after entering a Reston, Virginia, elementary school on Thursday afternoon, police say.
Officers took Benjamin Garrett, 29, of D.C., into police custody at Aldrin Elementary School shortly before 4 p.m.
鈥淚t鈥檚 concerning anytime you consider having a stranger in our school,鈥� said Lucy Caldwell, with Fairfax County Public Schools.
Caldwell said quick-acting staff at the school noticed Garrett entering the building behind another person.
鈥淭hey saw the individual; they asked them to leave immediately,鈥� Caldwell said.
Caldwell said Garrett left the school, but staff noticed he didn鈥檛 go far. He 鈥渞emained on school grounds, which felt concerning to the staff,鈥� Caldwell said.
School staff called the Fairfax County police. When officers arrived, they found Garrett walking away from the school. After questioning him, police discovered he was a registered sex offender wanted on an outstanding warrant in another jurisdiction.
Garrett was arrested and charged with entering school property after a violent sex offense conviction. He is currently being held without bond.
