By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that another Florida school employee, this time a principle was recently arrested for sending sexually explicit texts to an undercover detective posing as a teenage boy?
41-year-old Derrick McLaughlin, a principle at Warren Hope Dawson Elementary School in Riverview, is alleged to have sent the sexually explicit text messages to detectives who were portraying themselves as a 15-year-old boy.
Hillsborough County detectives say over the course of the investigation, McLaughlin attempted to entice the undercover detectives he believed was a teenager to engage in the sexual acts.
Detectives also stated that McLaughlin was charged with transmitting harmful material to a minor, unlawfully using a two-way communications device, and using computer services or devices to solicit illegal acts. The principal made suicidal comments when he was arrested, was then placed under the Baker Act.
Hillsborough County detectives are reportedly continuing to further investigate this case.