The Gulf Breeze man who was charged with molesting several Gulf Breeze Elementary School students is still sitting behind bars at Santa Rosa County Jail with a $1 million bond.
Sixty-six-year-old Richard Mack was arrested back on February 2 and charged with three counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation on a Victim Under the Age of 12 and one count of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct on a Victim Under the Age of 12. The victims were between the ages of 9 and 10.
The 2016 Santa Rosa Substitute Teacher of the Year was removed from Gulf Breeze Elementary School last October following the allegations.
According to his arrest report, the alleged molestations occurred between Oct. 28 and Oct. 31, 2016. Numerous victims came forward alleging the inappropriate behavior to the school’s administrative staff, according to the report. The report indicated that Mack allegedly inappropriately touched numerous children within a short time span of a few hours.
Mack has worked as a substitute teacher in both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. At the time of the alleged behavior, Mack was not employed directly through the school district, but instead worked for P.E.S.G. Educational Staffing Solutions, a company that hires and supplies substitute teachers.
Mack was cited as displaying inappropriate behavior at two Escambia County schools prior to coming aboard at GBES, which forced the ECSD to block the man from substituting at the two schools. Mack was never arrested for the allegations, despite being investigated by DCF. The case was ultimately dismissed after several months.
Gulf Breeze Police and the Department of Children and Families is still looking into the investigation and more charges could be forthcoming.
