Millcreek Teacher Arrested for Unlawful Sexual Activity with Minor, Child Pornography
Sep 22, 2019, 6:27 PM | Updated: Sep 23, 2019, 11:15 am
MILLCREEK, Utah – A music teacher is facing potential charges for unlawful sexual activity with a minor and child pornography.
Jeffery Luke Zawalski, 36, works at Evergreen Junior High School in Millcreek.
Zawalski has been teaching at the school since 2013. He worked at Rowland Hall and a charter school prior to that. He was also a substitute teacher for Granite School District in 2006, according to district spokesperson Ben Horsley.
“Band class will never be the same,” said Evergreen Junior High Student, Damion Blankenship, one of Zawalski’s students. “When I heard about this, I was really shocked, I mean it didn’t really seem like it was like that couldn’t be.”
Music students like Damion Blankenship are trying to make sense of the accusations against their teacher. Damion Blankenship described Zawalski as one of the most well-liked at the school.
“He was a really good teacher,” said Damion Blankenship.
KSL’s media partners at Deseret News broke the story Sunday morning detailing Zawalski’s arrest on Friday for unlawful sexual activity with a 15-year-old teenager and possession of child pornography.
Blankenship’s parents received an email from the school district last night.
“I’m blown away by it, I really am, and I just can’t believe it,” said Richard Blankenship, Damion’s dad.
Ben Horsley, spokesperson for the Granite School District said Sunday morning the victim is not a student at Evergreen Junior High School.
“I want to be very clear the victim in this particular case is not a Granite School District student or resident of Granite School District. Regardless, they are a victim minor and there are some disconcerting thoughts with respect to other potential victims,” Horsley said.
To help protect his children Joseph Delli-Getti, another Evergreen parent, says he regularly speaks with them about boundaries.
“It’s not a fun thing to talk about and could be even be a little awkward but it needs to happen,” Delli-Getti said.
According to police, Zawalski arranged to meet a 15-year-old via email on five different occasion. Police haven’t released the victim’s gender.
Zawalski was also found in possession of more than 10 pornographic images at the time of his arrest, according to an affidavit the Deseret News found.
“I mean he never seemed like it but anything can happen if they’re really good at acting,” Damion Blankenship said.
In the meantime, Damian Blankenship and his classmates will wait for Monday to find out who will take over the music program.
“It will suck but I’m just going to have to get used to knowing that,” Damion Blankeship said.
Granite School District said Zawalski has been placed on paid leave pending the police investigation.
Concerned parents or anyone with information on other potential victims is asked to contact the Salt Lake City Police Department.
