UPDATE: 'Perverted Justice' Sting Caught Former Swampscott Principal: Police

Former Swampscott High School Principal Edward Rozmiarek engaged in sexually explicit conversations with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, according to a Beverly Police Department report.

Rozmiarek was placed on administrative leave on Dec. 7; one week later, he resigned. At the time, Swampscott Superintendent Pamela Angelakis said she had recently become aware that Rozmiarek had engaged in conduct on his school-issued computer that Angelakis “deemed inappropriate.” She also assured parents that it did not appear the conduct involved Swampscott students or anyone else connected with the school system.

The Beverly Police Department previously acknowledged that its officers had assisted Massachusetts State Police with a visit to Rozmiarek’s Beverly home on the morning he was placed on leave. A Beverly Police Department report obtained by Patch Thursday reveals that an online sting group, Perverted Justice, allegedly caught Rozmiarek engaging in sexually explicit chatroom conversations with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. The group provided screenshots of those conversations to law enforcement.

In the chats, Rozmiarek identified himself as a 51-year-old high school principal and used the screen name, “AGreatGuy,” the report said. In addition to chatting with the decoy from Perverted Justice, Rozmiarek also exchanged texts, emails and facial photos with the individual.

“The content of the chats that take place ... is completely inappropriate for anyone to have with any 13-year-old,” according to the police report. The report goes on to note that during the period from Nov. 7, 2015-Nov. 29, 2015, Rozmiarek “initiates all conversation regarding anything sexual in nature.”

Rozmiarek allegedly told law enforcement that he engaged in the conversations with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl because “it’s exciting,” and while he “acknowledged his behavior as inappropriate” he “would not elaborate,” according to the police report.

Law enforcement officials examined a laptop and iPad that were property of Swampscott High School as part of the investigation. Investigators discovered ”dozens” of files containing graphic adult pornography on the laptop, the report notes, as well as evidence of visits to various chatrooms.

Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said in a statement that his office will not be pursuing any criminal charges against Rozmiarek as the former principal’s behavior did not cross the threshold into criminal activity.

Under the law, criminal enticement requires that a person “lure, induce, persuade, tempt, incite, coax, or invite,” an individual to enter, exit or remain within a vehicle, dwelling, building or outdoor space.”

“In this case, there was no evidence that Mr. Rozmiarek specifically enticed the alleged victim to a go to or stay at a specific location which is required by the law,” Blodgett said in the statement. “In not charging Mr. Rozmiarek, the Essex District Attorney’s Office does not suggest that his conduct was in any way appropriate. As repugnant as his conduct was, it simply does not cross the criminal line.”