MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – A former Boys and Girls Club basketball coach has been arrested for sexual activity involving children.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) says they arrested 58-year-old Carl Philip Lombardo on Wednesday following an investigation.
What happened
On August 31, deputies with MCSO say they responded to a report that Lombardo refused to return a 15-year-old juvenile victim to his parents after the juvenile reportedly slept over at his home, located at 2 Spring Lake Place in Ocala.
Deputies say Lombardo returned the juvenile’s siblings to their parents earlier.
Deputies confronted Lombardo about withholding the 15-year-old victim. They say Lombardo sent a video of the victim pretending to write a note to his parents to allow him to stay with Lombardo.
Deputies discovered that Lombardo coerced the victim to film the video. They said it was clear that the child was “emotional” as Lombardo belittled him for hesitating.
The children’s parents told Lombardo they were going to contact law enforcement because he was withholding their child.
Lombardo reportedly stated he was “not concerned” because he works with the schools and his reputation is “spotless.”
After the conclusion of the initial investigation and the child returning home, the children disclosed to deputies that Lombardo had touched them inappropriately and taken nude photos of them.
Deputies confiscated two of Lombardo’s cell phones for forensic review. They say they found pictures that revealed Lombardo had taken photos depicting child sexual abuse material.
In addition, deputies say Lombardo’s phone contained “numerous” images of the suspect cuddling with the children along with pictures of their feet.
Detectives with MCSO determined that Lombardo used his former position as juvenile victims’ Boys and Girls Club basketball coach to build trust and gain access to the children.
Deputies say Lombardo developed a pattern of keeping the children at his home for multiple days during which he reportedly molested two of the juvenile victims, exposed himself to the children, and photographed them inappropriately.
Detectives interviewed Lombardo on Wednesday, September 18. They say Lombardo provided contradicting statements about why the juveniles disclosed that he was sexually abusing them. Instead, detectives say Lombardo claimed he was trying to “save” the children from abuse.
Lombardo admitted to detectives that he offered the children’s parents $5,000 each to keep them. He also confirmed that the images of child sexual abuse material depicted one of the juvenile victims.
Outcome
Deputies placed Lombardo under arrest and transported him to the Marion County Jail, where he is charged with:
- Human Trafficking of a Child for Commercial Sexual Activity
- Interference with Child Custody
- Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Victim less than 12 Years of Age
- Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Victim between 12 and 16 Years of Age
- Lewd and Lascivious Exhibition
- Production of Child Pornography (two counts)
- Possession of Child Pornography (two counts)
He is currently held without bond.
Due to Lombardo’s former position as a children’s basketball coach mixed with his “predatory nature,” deputies believe he may have victimized other children.
If you have information about other potential victims, contact Detective Henrik Osthed at 352-351-4710.