Milton elementary teacher faces child porn, luring charges: police

A Milton elementary school teacher is facing multiple child luring and pornography charges.

Halton police opened an investigation last month into a person who was luring children around the world over the internet.

Today, officers arrested and charged 44-year-old Justin Zielke of Ancaster with two counts of possession of child pornography, distributing child pornography, making child pornography and two counts of luring a child.

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Investigators say Zielke has been a teacher at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Elementary School in Milton since 2016. Police say students called Zielke “Mr. Z” and he used various online personas such as “Dan Forest.”

A spokesperson for the Halton Catholic District School Board told CHCH News in a statement that Zielke is no longer working at any of their schools.

“News of this nature is very upsetting for all of us,” said Andrea Swinden, manager of strategic communications at the HCDSB.

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“The safety and well-being of the students entrusted to our care is our greatest responsibility, and one that we do not take lightly.”

Swinden said the board’s compassionate care and crisis response team will be available to provide support on Monday, when schools reopen after the winter break.

Police believe there may be additional victims.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Todd Martin at 905 465 8983 or Det. Const. Dave Cziraki at 905 465 8984.