Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives on Monday arrested 34-year-old Chester Pacana for lewd and lascivious molestation on a student at Dunnellon High School.
A 15-year-old female victim reported the offense to the assistant principal who relayed the information to the MCSO School Resource Officer on campus. The victim told authorities that Pacana had inappropriately touched her on her leg and breast while she was in his classroom. The victim said she went to Pacana’s classroom on Feb. 8, where she sat with him near his desk where they normally have their “conversations.” The victim said while she was sitting with Pacana, he began playing with the holes in her jeans (located on her left thigh). She then leaned forward to get something out of his desk drawer and Pacana reached his hand inside her shirt and fondled her breast. The victim said she told Pacana she had to leave, and she got up quickly and left the room.
During the investigation, Major Crimes Detectives interviewed several students who had observed Pacana’s inappropriate behavior with the victim. They said Pacana was particularly close with the victim and that they watched him touch her on her shoulder and on her thigh. They also added Pacana bought the victim lunch once and that he would sing songs to her. Another student reported that Pacana had previously made an inappropriate comment to the victim when she wore a new dress to school.
