Las Vegas NowTeacher Arrested for Child Pornography

Teacher Arrested for Child Pornography

Henderson Police arrested a fifth-grade teacher Thursday on four counts of lewdness with a minor under the age of 14 and 10 counts of possession of child pornography.

Detectives arrested 37-year-old Mark Zana Thursday after investigating allegations made by a former student who moved out of state and confided in her mother about contact with her teacher.

On Sept. 22, Henderson Police detectives served a search warrant at Zana’s home taking his computers. Henderson Police Department’s computer forensic analyst conducted an examination of the seized computers and recovered images and video clips of suspected child pornography.

Last week, after the search warrant was served, Henderson Police contacted Clark County School officials requesting Zana be taken out of the classroom pending the completion of the investigation. He was removed from the classroom at that time.

Detectives spoke with several students and former students about the touching allegations. During the investigation, another former student claimed to detectives she was touched inappropriately by the suspect.

Zana is a teacher at Lorna J. Kesterson Elementary School and previously taught at Ulis Newton Elementary School. Zana also has coached gymnastics at several area locations.

Detectives believe there may be others who have had similar encounters with the suspect and those people are urged to contact the police at 702-267-4750.

Zana is currently being held in the Henderson Detention Center on $250,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in Clark County Justice Court Monday for his first appearance.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Henderson Police Department at 267-5000 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.