DUNNELLON, Fla. – There are new concerns about a Marion County teacher who stands accused of molesting a 15-year-old student in his classroom.
Dunnellon High School teacher Chester Pacana, 35, was arrested arrested Monday on charges of lewd and lascivious conduct.
Marion County sheriff's deputies said the girl leaned over to retrieve something and Pacana put his hand inside her shirt and fondled her breasts. The girl said she rushed out of the classroom, according to deputies.
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 girl when she showed up at school in a new dress, deputies said.
Pacana denied inappropriately touching the girl. He bonded out of the Marion County Jail on Monday.
Deputies told News 6 that after conducting several interviews at the school, they now believe that there could be more victims.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about Pacana to contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office.