PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WFLA) — A former teacher and coach at Charlotte High School has been federal indicted on four counts of child pornography, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has announced.
An investigation into allegations against 37-year-old Dagobertopena began in April after a parent discovered an ominous conversation between him and his child on his child’s mobile phone.
Detective Don Wolke, assigned to the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force, has been charged with Pena with four counts related to child pornography.
According to the CCSO, the Punta Gorda Police Station has obtained search warrants for both Pena’s mobile and workplace phones, revealing graphic images, text messages and videos between Pena and the three juvenile victims.
Pena was a basketball coach at Charlotte High School.
Using his position, Pena would seduce the victim into a vulnerable situation, deputies said.
Pena offers free private training sessions and expensive apparel and shoe gifts to gain the trust of the victim.
CCSO said that after gaining trust in gifts and free sessions, it escalated into an inappropriate sexual relationship between Pena and the victim.
“It’s our job as adults, especially as adults in trustworthy positions. It’s to protect our children at every cost. Betrayed in such a disgusting way is nothing but evil. There’s no excuse to justify the actions of this master manipulator. A sincere hope is that we can begin the healing process, knowing that the victim and his family are responsible for their actions,” Sheriff Bill Plumel said.
According to the CCSO, Pena traveled to the victim’s home to engage in sexual activities, documenting the encounter despite being verbally motivated to see the victim being uncomfortable.
After that, Pena will erase the explicit video and images after he sends, and will remind them after warning him that he will go to prison if he tells someone about their relationship.
On April 29th, Pena was arrested and charged.
Illegal sexual activity with certain minors encourages perverted, light-hearted batteries. Sex Victims Encourage Lewd Victims from 16 to 16 Years Old X2 X2 X2 from 12-16 Years Old Traveling to meet minors using computers to seduce authoritative figures of children X2 X2
Punta Gorda police have handled the state-level charges against Pena.
On July 9, Pena was charged with the federal government with the following charges:
Two counts of child porn production 1 counts of child porn receipt 1 counts of child porn possession 1 counts.
“In our schools and society, there is no place for individuals who prey on children. Dagobertopena’s arrest is a sleazy and unforgivable betrayal of our trust family. Our top priority is to protect our students.
CCSO, anyone with information or who feels the child is a victim should contact the Sheriff’s Office at 941-639-2101.
