Katie 
Riverview, Florida: Derrick McLaughlin, 41, the principal at Dawson Elementary School was arrested on Tuesday, January 25 after he spent several days messaging what he thought was a 15-year-old boy online, but was in reality an undercover officer.
Between the dates of January 19 and 27 McLaughlin is accused of initiating chat with what he believed to be a 15-year-old boy though a social media app and then attempting to entice the child to engage in sexual acts.
"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 Sherriff Chad Chronister stated. "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."
Due to statements made at the time of his arrest McLaughlin was held under the Baker Act.
He has been charged with transmission of harmful material to a minor, unlawful use of a two-way communication device,. and use of computer services or devices to solicit certain illegal acts.
McLaughlin had been with the school district since 2002 and has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.
Contributor
