Facing a grooming charge, Mark Zeka made an appearance in Marshall County Court yesterday. Grooming is the act of attempting to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child.

Zeka, 61, of Ames, was arrested on Nov. 26. According to the criminal complaint filed by the Marshalltown Police Department, Zeka sent a series of text messages to a juvenile who was a student at the school where he taught between June 6 and July 11.

He allegedly asked the victim to send pictures and to meet with him. Upon receiving some photographs, Zeka said the juvenile was “cute and attractive.” He also expressed his love for the victim.

Zeka is a former Marshalltown High School math teacher. He was taken into custody on Nov. 25 and released on a $5,000 bond.