AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 28, 2026
Ocala Teacher Faces Digital Voyeurism Charge
A fifth-grade teacher at Ocala Christian Academy has been arrested after being accused of taking upskirt photos of a student during school recess, according to the Ocala Police Department. The incident, reported by concerned parents, led to the arrest of 34-year-old Joel Gould, who now faces a criminal charge of digital voyeurism.
Incident Reported by Parents and Witness
Police stated that they first learned about the alleged misconduct on Tuesday, following a report from parents who claimed the incident occurred the previous Friday. According to an official release, a witness observed Gould placing his phone underneath a student’s skirt while she stood on a picnic table beside him. The student later reported feeling something touch her leg multiple times and realized afterward that it was Gould's phone, with the camera pointed upward.
Teacher Admits to Allegation During Investigation
After receiving these reports, authorities interviewed Joel Gould. Police say that during questioning, Gould admitted to taking photographs under the student’s skirt. His role as a teacher led prosecutors to elevate the digital voyeurism charge to a second-degree felony, given his position of authority over the student.
Parent Shares Past Concerns About the Teacher
Brittany Torres, whose son was previously in Gould’s class, expressed distress after hearing about his arrest. Torres stated she had raised concerns about Gould's behavior for years, noting that he had singled out her daughter even though she was not in his class. She recounted an incident during recess where Gould commented inappropriately about her daughter’s ability to have a boyfriend. Torres also mentioned observing a pattern of Gould treating students differently based on gender, favoring girls over boys in classroom discipline and privileges. Despite her efforts to report these observations, no action was initially taken.
School and Law Enforcement Response
Following the arrest, Ocala Christian Academy sent an email to parents emphasizing that student safety is their highest priority. The school announced that Gould has been terminated and is no longer permitted on church or school property. It was revealed that the school’s principal previously contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office to report concerns but was informed that there was insufficient evidence to take further action at the time, allowing Gould to remain in the classroom for several more days before his arrest. Communication records indicate that the principal was told to report the issue to local police instead.
Ongoing Investigation and Call for Information
Police have expressed concern that there may be additional victims in this case. Detectives urge anyone with information about Joel Gould or who may have experienced inappropriate conduct involving him to contact the Ocala Police Department at (352) 369-7000.
Source: clickorlando.com.
