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Middle School Teacher Accused of Molestation, St. Petersburg Police Say

Joseph Zavalnak | St. Petersburg Police | Arrests

There are three victims between the ages of 12 and 18, according to St. Petersburg police.

ST. PETERSBURG – Police here say they arrested a Meadowlawn Middle School teacher this morning (May 24) and charged him with molestation.

Joseph Frank Zavalnak, 41, of Largo, is facing five counts of lewd and lascivious molestation involving three girls. All were older than 12 and younger than 18, the St. Petersburg Police Department said. Two of the incidents occurred at the end of 2016, and the investigation led to another incident in 2013.

Police said they are not releasing any further details because of the nature of the charges.

The Pinellas County School District released this statement:

“As soon as information related to an incident involving Meadowlawn Middle School teacher Joseph Zavalnak was brought to the school’s attention, it was investigated with the assistance of the St. Petersburg Police Department. It was determined by Pinellas County Schools and law enforcement to move Mr. Zavalnak to a non-student worksite in January, as St. Petersburg Police continued their investigation. He remained at the non-student worksite up until his arrest. His contract is being non-renewed by the district.”

For information about the St. Petersburg Police Department, go to police.stpete.org.

St. Petersburg Police | Meadowlawn Middle School | Pinellas Schools | Crime | Arrests | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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