Former Teacher, 68, Charged In Child Sex Case

LARGO, FL — A 68-year-old former teacher faces a number of criminal charges after Largo Police say he tried to meet up with a 14-year-old boy on Friday to "engage in sexual activity."

According to the agency, the case against Robert Orlopp began to build on March 19 when a detective posing as a 14-year-old boy answered a "sexually explicit advertisement on Craigslist" Orlopp allegedly placed. During their online discussions, Orlopp was told “several times he was chatting with a 14-year-old boy,” the police department wrote in a Friday email to media.

Despite being told he was talking with an underage boy, Orlopp “continued to engage in online conversation with the detective and even requested a meeting in order to engage in sexual activity,” the email noted. Orlopp is also accused of sending a photo of himself to the detective, and asking the “boy” if he had “any other young friends he could introduce to Orlopp for the purpose of committing sexual acts.”

Get the Largo Patch newsletter and alerts in your inbox.

Orlopp was arrested on Friday, March 31, after police say he showed up at a restaurant within the city limits for a meeting with teen boy. Detectives were waiting for him instead.

Orlopp now faces two counts of using a computer to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child; unlawful use of a two-way communication device; and misrepresentation of age while using a computer to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child. His phone and computer were both seized as part of the investigation. Additional charges are pending in the case, the police department said.

Police say they learned “Orlopp had worked full-time as a local teacher from 1972-2007” during the course of their investigation. Orlopp worked for Pinellas County Schools during his career, the agency said.

A booking photo of Orlopp was not available as of Friday afternoon.

Keep up with what’s happening by following Largo Patch on Facebook.

Image via Shutterstock