After a young basketball coach in Florida said he did not want to send a child back to his parents following a sleepover stay at his house, police arrested him.
Last week Carl Philip Lombardo, 59, was taken into custody by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office from his Ocala, Florida apartment. Along with nine allegations from possession of child pornography to sexual abuse, he is accused of giving parents $5,000 for each of their children.
Authorities arrived at Lombardo’s house on Aug. 31 following claims from a 15-year-old parent alleging Lombardo failed to return their child following a sleepover. Based on an arrest warrant acquired by USA TODAY, Lombardo was under investigation following this event.
The affidavit said Lombardo emailed the parents of the child a video of the boy posing as a note writer requesting they stay with him.
“He states ‘I’m writing this letter… because…’ then becomes emotional. He drops his head as he cries and the suspect can be heard on the other side of the camera can be heard saying ‘stop crying, just do it!’” the arrest affidavit said.
Lombardo revealed to authorities upon deputies contacting him that he tried to purchase the children from their parents for $5,000.
Several minors informed authorities investigating Lombardo that he had taken nude pictures of them and inappropriately touched them. According to the arrest document, Lombardo handed police two of his cell phones.
These included many images of Lombardo cuddling with the kids, shots of their feet, and other child sexual assault content.
Investigators stated in a Facebook post from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office that Lombardo utilized his basketball coaching role to build the confidence of victim families so he could schedule several sleepovers.
Lombardo had no bond placed in the Marion County Jail.