In December 2022, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Internet Child Exploitation Unit (I.C.E.) commenced an investigation into a person that was luring children over the internet.
As a result of this investigation, Justin Zielke (44) of Ancaster was arrested on January 5, 2023, and has been charged with the following:
Possession of Child Pornography (2 counts)
Distribute Child Pornography
Make child pornography
Luring a child (2 counts)
Zielke was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Zielke has been a teacher at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Elementary School in Milton since 2016. Zielke goes by the name of “Mr Z” to his students and uses various online personas including “Dan Forest”.
Investigators believe that he has been communicating with children from all over the world and that there may be additional victims. A photo of Zielke has been attached to this media release.
Anyone who may have any additional information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Todd Martin at 905-465-8983 or Detective Constable Dave Cziraki at 905-465-8984 of the Halton Regional Police Service - Internet Child Exploitation Unit.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. "See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers" at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
These investigations have been funded and made possible through a grant from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
