Teacher charged with more counts of voyeurism
Mark William Ackett, a 50-year-old teacher at Bloomingdale High School, was facing a single charge of video voyeurism in September when he admitted to recording a student while she was changing on campus.
An investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has found that single charge missed the mark. During the original investigation, his cellphones were seized and the court authorized a search warrant for the devices. According to HCSO, a forensic analysis of the phones found 267 videos and images of girls ranging from the ages of 14 to 18 years old in various states of undress.
Ackett, who lives in Plant City, has now been charged with an additional 267 counts of video voyeurism, 73 counts of production of harmful material of a minor and 13 counts of possession of child pornography.
HCSO said he turned himself in and was taken into custody without incident.
Ackett was a family consumer science teacher and the girls track coach at Bloomingdale. In September a student went into a designated changing room in her fashion design classroom to try on clothes and noticed there were two cellphones concealed in the room. One of the phones was recording when she saw it, according to HCSO. She immediately put her clothes back on and reported the incident to the administration, who reached out to HCSO.
He had been working at Bloomingdale since January of 2017 but was hired by the school district in 1991 where he worked for the district’s central office. The district said Ackett resigned his position with the school.
Dolphins to host poker fundraiser
If you know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em, the Plant City Dolphins are looking for your help.
The youth football and cheerleading program is hosting its Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament this weekend as a fundraiser with prizes awarded for first, second and third place finishers. There is a $100 buy-in with re-buys available and sponsorships can be purchased for $200 per table.
The tournament will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Plant City Elks Lodge, 1501 N. Alexander St. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets must be purchased before game night. Call Armand Cotnoir at 813-967-7417 for seating and more information.
Chili's, UFBPC partner for fundraiser
Eating at Chili's on Tuesday helped fight hunger around Plant City.
For every customer who brought a flyer to the Chili's in Plant City at 3001 James L. Redman Parkway, the restaurant planned to donate 15% of total sales to the United Food Bank of Plant City. The promotion ran all day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and to-go orders also qualified for the promotion.
PCHS Veterans Day concert change
Plant City High School’s Veterans Day concert is still a go, but the date has been pushed back.
Due to the possibility of the PCHS football team qualifying for the FHSAA playoffs, the school moved the concert date to 7 p.m. Nov. 8. For more information about the concert or other Plant City Veterans Week events, call Judy Wise at (863) 370-8389.
Florida Opry November show
The Florida Opry returns to the stage at the 1914 PCHS Community Center from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 3.
Ernie Evans and the Florida State Bluegrass Band will headline the show. Other performing acts include pianist Jonathan Davis and the Clogging Connection’s competition team. Randy Scott will be the Master of Ceremonies.
Tickets cost $15 for adults and $8 for students in advance and $17 at the door if available. Purchase tickets online at ehhsoc.org/the-florida-opry.html. Call 813-757-9226 for more information.
CORRECTION
Tonight’s presentation and meet and greet with potential Walden Lake Golf & Country Club buyer 2XS Development, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at Plant City Church of God, 2103 Mud Lake Road, is only open to Walden Lake residents and not all members of the general public.