Bloomingdale Teacher Charged With 267 Counts Of Video Voyeurism

VALRICO, FL -- Following a five-week investigation, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has now charged a Bloomingdale High School teacher with 267 counts of video voyeurism, 73 counts of production of harmful material of a minor and 13 counts of possession of child pornography.

Mark William Ackett, 50, of Plant City was initially arrested on Sept. 12 after a 17-year-old student found cell phones concealed inside a dressing room in Bloomingdale High School's fashion design class. One of the cell phones was actively recording video when the student discovered it.

While executing a search warrant at the high school, detectives found two Samsung Galaxy Note cell phones hidden in boxes in the dressing room. Holes had been cut in the boxes to expose the lenses on the phones. The phones contained eight recordings of teen girls changing clothes.

Detectives also confiscated three digital cameras and a collection of digital storage cards and thumb drives in Ackett's desk.

During questioning, Ackett admitted to detectives he was recording students while they were changing. He was charged with one count of video voyeurism and was released from jail after posting $7,500 in bail.

However, a detailed forensic analysis of the cellphones has now uncovered 267 videos and images of girls ranging from 14 to 18 years old in various stages of undress, prompting Ackett to be arrested again on the additional charges Monday, Oct. 22.

Ackett turned himself to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and was taken into custody without incident. Hillsborough County Public School's Professional Standards was notified and is also investigating.

The criminal investigation is still active. Detectives are trying to find additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200.

Ackett was hired by the Hillsborough County School District in 1991. He served as the assistant principal at Bloomingdale from 2006 to 2009 and then worked in the district's central office as the supervisor of attendance. He returned to Bloomingdale as the fashion design teacher in 2017. He was also the girls track coach at Bloomingdale.

Related stories:

Bloomingdale High Teacher Reportedly Recorded Students For Year

Bloomingdale High Teacher Arrested For Videotaping Students

Image via Hillsborough Sheriff

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