Elementary School Principal Arrested For Sending Sexual Texts To Undercover Detective He Thought Was A Young Boy
After sending sexually explicit texts to an undercover detective he suspected was a kid, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested a principal of the Hillsborough County School District on multiple felonies.
During a chat operation to uncover those seeking to exploit youngsters, undercover investigators pretended to be a 15-year-old boy from January 19 to January 27, 2022. During this time, Derrick McLaughlin, 41, started a text exchange with the undercover cops on a social media app. Throughout the inquiry, McLaughlin tried to persuade an undercover cop, whom he mistook for a teenager, to participate in sexual acts. McLaughlin is the principal at Riverview, FL’s Dawson Elementary School.
McLaughlin was apprehended on January 27, 2022. 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 are among the allegations he faces. McLaughlin was arrested for making suicide remarks and has been placed under the Baker Act.
Sheriff Chad Chronister stated, “It’s horrible that a trusted member of our community, a school administrator, would take advantage of a youngster for his own self-gratification.” “Thankfully, one of our detectives was the recipient of his vulgar messages, rather than a child.” McLaughlin’s alarming behavior should not be exposed to children.”
At this moment, there is no indication that there are any other victims. The probe is still ongoing.
