Current:Home > reviewsCoach accused of offering $5,000 to buy children from parents, refusing to return kids -TradeBridge
Coach accused of offering $5,000 to buy children from parents, refusing to return kids
View
Date:2025-04-18 06:48:35
Police arrested a youth basketball coach in Florida after they said he did not want to return a child to his parents after the child stayed at his home for a sleepover.
Carl Philip Lombardo, 59, was arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office last week at his residence in Ocala, Florida. He is accused of offering parents $5,000 for each of their children as well as nine charges ranging from possession of child pornography to sexual abuse.
On Aug 31. authorities responded to Lombardo's house after the parent of a 15-year-old child said Lombardo refused to return their child after a sleepover. Following this incident, an investigation was started into Lombardo, according to an arrest warrant obtained by USA TODAY.
Lombardo sent the child's parents a video of the child pretending to write a note saying they wanted to stay with him, the affidavit says.
“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.
Investigation into Lombardo finds alleged abuse
When deputies made contact with Lombardo, he admitted to authorities that he tried to buy the children from their parents for $5,000.
As part of the investigation into Lombardo, several children told police that he had inappropriately touched them and taken naked photos of them. The arrest affidavit says that Lombardo turned over two of his cellphones to police.
These contained numerous pictures of Lombardo cuddling with the children, pictures of their feet as well as other child sexual abuse material.
In a Facebook post from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, investigators said Lombardo used his position as a basketball coach to gain the trust of victims' families and be able to hold these sleepovers multiple times.
“He developed a pattern of keeping the children at his home for multiple-day stays, during which he molested two of the juvenile victims, exposed himself to the children, and photographed them inappropriately,” the sheriff’s office said.
Lombardo was booked into the Marion County Jail with no bond. USA TODAY was not immediately able to contact Lombardo’s lawyer for comment.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
veryGood! (8)
Related
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- 6 people found dead in Bangkok Grand Hyatt hotel show signs of cyanide poisoning, hospital says
- Why Taylor Swift Fans Think She Serenaded Travis Kelce at Eras Tour With Meaningful Mashup
- Milwaukee man arrested blocks from RNC carried an AK-47 pistol, authorities say
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- Raymond Patterson: Investment Opportunities in Stock Splitting
- Old video and photos recirculate, falsely claiming Trump wasn't injured in shooting
- Alaska judge who resigned in disgrace didn’t disclose conflicts in 23 cases, investigation finds
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Angelina Jolie Asks Brad Pitt to End the Fighting in Legal Battle
Ranking
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- ‘Claim to Fame’ eliminates two: Who's gone, and why?
- Summer 'snow' in Philadelphia breaks a confusing 154-year-old record
- Chicago Sky trade Marina Mabrey to Connecticut Sun for two players, draft picks
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- 'Twisters' movie review: Glen Powell wrestles tornadoes with charm and spectacle
- ‘One screen, two movies': Conflicting conspiracy theories emerge from Trump shooting
- Fireball streaking across sky at 38,000 mph caused loud boom that shook NY, NJ, NASA says
Recommendation
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
Old video and photos recirculate, falsely claiming Trump wasn't injured in shooting
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich returns to Bojangles menu along with WWE collectible item
Scientists are ready to meet and greet a massive asteroid when it whizzes just past Earth
Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
Rooftop Solar Was Having a Moment in Texas Before Beryl. What Happens Now?
What's financial toll for Team USA Olympians? We asked athletes how they make ends meet.
Blake Lively Shares Cheeky “Family Portrait” With Nod to Ryan Reynolds