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Former teacher faces hundreds of new charges tied to recording students undressing on school grounds

Posted at 1:18 PM, Feb 15, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-16 13:42:56-05

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A Hillsborough County teacher who admitted to secretly recording his students undressing faces an additional 311 charges, authorities say.

Authorities began investigating 50-year-old Mark Ackett in September of 2018 after being notified by Bloomingdale Senior High School administration that a student located two cellphones concealed inside the fashion design class changing room.

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Ackett was a family consumer science teacher within the fashion design program at the Valrico school. He was originally arrested on September 11 and charged with one count of video voyeurism. He was released on September 12 after posting a $7,500 bond. He was arrested again in October on 353 additional charges and held on a $1,526,442 bond.

Now, Ackett faces even more charges after he was arrested Friday. The additional charges come after authorities analyzed multiple recording and media storage devices.

Authorities found 238 videos and images depicting students in various stages of undress, 72 videos and images of female students with their breasts or buttocks exposed and one video of an adult in stages of undress. Ackett can be seen on numerous videos placing, hiding and removing the recording devices, authorities say.

He was arrested Friday and charged with 238 counts of video voyeurism involving students, one count of video voyeurism involving an adult and 72 counts of production of harmful material using a minor.

Our number one concern as the law enforcement investigation continues is our students. The staff at the school has been working with students and their families during this entire ordeal to ensure students have the supports they need. We are disgusted by these new charges. Our district and our families place trust in our teachers. It is devastating for all of us when that trust is broken. He was removed from the school as soon as the allegations were reported last year. He resigned his position within hours.
Hillsborough County Public Schools

Authorities say the investigation is active and on-going. Anyone who believes they or their child may have been a victim is encouraged to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200.