A former middle school counselor at Maranatha Christian Academy has been charged with secretly recording a 13-year-old student as she changed clothes in his classroom. Police say a search of his electronic devices uncovered dozens of altered sexualized images of her.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office charged Jason Gary Polzin, 50, of Prior Lake, with one felony count of interfering with the privacy of a minor under 18.
On Aug. 12, detectives from the Brooklyn Park Police Department arrested Polzin and booked him into the Hennepin County Jail, where he was formally charged, according to a press release.
Hennepin County Jail records indicate that Polzin was arrested with two other charges: “possess pornographic work of minors-sexual conduct” and “use minors in sexual performance.”
Jail records also indicate that Polzin has been released with “bond and conditional release” status.
Victim says she noticed a phone recording her
According to the criminal complaint, the incident occurred April 17, 2024. The victim told police that Polzin — who also helped with the school’s softball team — allowed her to change before practice in his classroom.
She said she noticed his phone positioned in the room—and pointed toward the area where she was changing. She also noticed it was recording.
The girl told investigators she deleted the video and confronted Polzin, who claimed it was an accident. She later told friends, who encouraged her to report it to school personnel.
According to the criminal complaint, the “Victim stated that the video showed the defendant looking at the door before he set the phone down and aimed it so it was pointed towards where she would be changing.”
Search of Polzin’s home revealed sexual abuse material
Police said they learned of the allegation on May 23, 2024, after being called to the school. Detectives obtained a search warrant for Polzin’s Prior Lake home and seized several electronic devices.
A forensic analysis revealed criminal sexual abuse material, 52 photos of the victim — with most of them taken in Polzin’s school office. The analysis also revealed 165 computer-generated images of the victim’s face placed on female bodies—some naked or wearing lingerie.
Maranatha Christian Academy said in a statement that Polzin was immediately placed on administrative leave upon learning of the allegations and notified parents. Polzin’s employment was terminated June 3, 2024.
“The safety and well-being of our students is, and will always be, our highest priority,” Head of School Deb Larson-Jarpe said, adding that counseling staff are available for students.
Brooklyn Park police said the investigation is ongoing and they are working with the school to identify and support any potential victims.
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Author: Alpha News Staff
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