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.
When deputies made contact with Lombardo, he admitted to authorities that he tried to buy the children from their parents for $5,000.