DUNNELLON, Fla. – A Dunnellon High School teacher is accused of inappropriately touching a 15-year-old student on her thigh and breasts in his classroom, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
The victim told authorities that she was talking with Chester Pacana in his classroom on Feb. 8 when Pacana touched a hole in her jeans on her thigh.
Deputies said the girl leaned over to retrieve something and Pacana, 35, put his hand inside her shirt and fondled her breasts. The girl said she rushed out of the classroom.
Other students who were in the classroom said they saw Pacana touching the girl's inner thigh. Several students who were interviewed said they had seen Pacana touching the victim's shoulder or thigh on multiple occasions, according to an arrest affidavit.
Students reported that Pacana was friendly toward the victim, including buying her lunch and singing to her. One witness said he made an inappropriate comment about the victim when she showed up at school in a new dress, deputies said.
Pacana denied inappropriately touching the girl.
He was arrested Monday on a lewd and lascivious conduct charge. He bonded out of the Marion County Jail at 7:43 p.m. Monday.