OCALA, Fla. — The Ocala Police Department arrested 34-year-old fifth-grade teacher Joel Gould at Ocala Christian Academy on a charge of digital voyeurism.
The arrest followed an investigation into allegations that Gould photographed underneath a student’s skirt.
The Ocala Police Department initiated the investigation on Oct. 27 after receiving a report from concerned parents. The report detailed an incident that occurred during recess on the previous Friday.
According to police, a witness reported seeing Gould holding his phone beneath a student’s skirt while the student stood on a picnic table beside him. The student later told investigators she felt something touch her leg several times and realized it was Gould’s phone with the camera pointed upward.
The victim’s parents contacted the Ocala Police Department after learning about the accusations. Officers interviewed Gould, who confessed to taking photographs underneath the child’s skirt.
Detectives determined there was probable cause to charge Gould based on the victim’s statement, the witness account, and Gould’s confession. The charge was upgraded from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony because Gould was in a position of authority over the student. Gould was transported to the Marion County Jail.
The Ocala Police Department is asking anyone with information about Gould or who may have experienced inappropriate contact involving him to contact the department.
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