In a surprising turn of events at a Clark County elementary school, a computer technician was apprehended for clandestinely installing a digital audio recorder in a classroom. The technician, identified as Haroon Rashid Zakai, was arrested at Gwendolyn Woolley Elementary School on March 20. He justified his actions by claiming the recordings were intended for his AI device business to combat bullying among students.
The discovery of the device came after a teacher noticed a sensor, usually affixed to the ceiling, had fallen to the floor. Inside the sensor’s casing, she found an active digital audio recorder. The situation escalated when Zakai entered the classroom a few hours later, admitting to the teacher that he was responsible for placing the device. He pleaded on one knee for the teacher not to report him, fearing the repercussions on his career. Zakai attempted to retrieve the device, suggesting he could simply delete the data and prevent any recurrence of the incident.
However, the teacher managed to retain possession of the device and sought refuge in a colleague’s classroom while waiting for the police. The device was subsequently handed over to detectives, although the report by Channel 13 did not disclose any details regarding its contents.
The police highlighted in their report the expectation of privacy within school classrooms, emphasizing that such spaces are considered private and confidential discussions should not be recorded without explicit consent from all involved parties.
Following his arrest, Zakai chose to exercise his Miranda Rights, requesting legal representation before any questioning. He faces charges including unauthorized electronic surveillance at a school, attempting to destroy or conceal evidence, damaging community property, and monitoring private conversations without consent.
In response to the incident, Clark County School District officials announced that Zakai would be placed on unpaid leave and barred from campus, pending further investigation. This case has sparked a broader discussion on privacy rights within educational settings and the ethical implications of surveillance technologies.