Now, this is really disturbing. A Florida elementary school principal thought he was sending sexually explicit texts to a teen, but it was actually an undercover detective.
Derrick Neil McLaughlin, 41, of Lithia, was taken into custody Thursday and now faces several charges, including the transmission of harmful material to a minor, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and use of computer services or devices to solicit certain illegal acts.
Authorities accuse McLaughlin, who is the principal at Dawson Elementary School in Riverview, of trying to entice who he thought was a 15-year-old boy with the intentions of engaging in sexual acts, WFLA-TVreported.
McLaughlin Allegedly sent texts on a social media app between Jan. 19 and Jan. 27, WTSP-TV reported.
“It’s sickening that a trusted member of our community, a school principal, would take advantage of a child for his own self-gratification,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement.
“Thankfully, it was not a child, but one of our detectives, who was on the receiving end of his obscene messages. No child should be subjected to the disturbing behavior put on display by McLaughlin.”
Authorities reported that McLaughlin was being held under the Baker Act because he made statements of self-harm when he was arrested, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
A Hillsborough County Public Schools spokesperson said the principal was an employee with the school district since Dec. 16, 2002.
“We are shocked and deeply troubled by the charges filed against Derrick McLaughlin. Our top priority is the safety and well-being of students and staff,” Erin Maloney said in a statement. “Mr. McLaughlin is currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.”
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