The investigation by the Halton Regional Police Service’s (HPRS) Internet Child Exploitation (I.C.E.) unit began last month and led to charges being laid Jan. 5 against a 44-year-old Ancaster, Ont., man. Justin Zielke faces two counts of possession of child pornography, distributing child pornography, making child pornography and two counts of luring a child.

Zielke worked as an elementary school teacher at St. Anthony of Padua in Milton, Ont., since 2016. 

“We became aware of this investigation and the resulting charges against Mr. Zielke last Thursday when we were contacted by Halton Regional Police Service,” the board’s communication officer Amanda Bartucci said in a statement to The Catholic Register. “We are working in full cooperation with HRPS as they conduct this investigation. We can confirm that Mr. Zielke is no longer working in any of our schools. As this is an ongoing police investigation, we are not able to share any additional details at this time. 

“News of this nature is very upsetting for all of us. The safety and well-being of the students entrusted to our care is our greatest responsibility, and one that we do not take lightly. We have shared information with the families and staff in the school community and will have our Compassionate Care and Crisis Response Team at the school this week to offer support to students and staff who may be struggling with this news.”

The media release issued by the police revealed that the accused has adopted various online personas to lure minors. Police allege “Dan Forest” is one of those names.

The I.C.E. investigators stated their belief “that he has been communicating with children from all over the world and that there may be additional victims.”

Anyone who might possess any extra information pertaining to the investigation is encouraged to contact Det. Todd Martin at (905) 465-8983 or Det.-Const. Dave Cziraki at (905) 465-8984. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or at haltoncrimestoppers.ca.