Man Accused Of Sexting With 15-Year-Old Placed Under Baker Act Following Arrest

BLOOMINGDALE, FL — A Riverview elementary school principal faces charges of transmission of harmful material to a child after deputies accused him of sending sexual texts to an undercover detective posing as a child, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

Derrick McLaughlin, the Dawson Elementary School principal,made suicidal threats when he was taken into custody, deputies said. So he was committed to a mental health treatment center for up to 72 hours as allowed under the state's Baker Act.

Deputies arrested the 41-year-old Thursday following a nine-day operation that began Jan. 19 with a social media conversation the principal started with a 15-year-old that was actually an officer, authorities said.

McLaughlin tried to get the boy to engage in sexual acts, according to deputies.

McLaughlin faces the following charges, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said:

• Transmission of harmful material to a minor
• Unlawful use of a two-way communications device
• Use of computer services or devices to solicit certain illegal acts

"It’s sickening that a trusted member of our community, a school principal, would take advantage of a child for his own self-gratification," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "Thankfully, it was not a child, but one of our detectives, who was on the receiving end of his obscene messages. No child should be subjected to the disturbing behavior put on display by McLaughlin."

According to Hillsborough County Public Schools, the suspect was hired in December 2002.

"We are shocked and deeply troubled by the charges filed against Derrick McLaughlin," a school spokesperson said in a statement. "Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of students and staff. Mr. McLaughlin is currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation."

Chronister said there is no indication that there are any additional victims at this time.