Ocala man faces multiple charges, including molestation of youth

[Photo courtesy Marion County Sheriff’s Office]

A 58-year-old Ocala man who allegedly made contact with youth through basketball coaching was arrested Sept. 19 on multiple charges, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office reports.

Carl Philip Lombardo was charged with human trafficking of a child for commercial sexual activity, interference with child custody, lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years of age, lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim between 12 and 16 years of age, lewd and lascivious exhibition, and two counts each of production of child pornography and possession of child pornography, according to an MCSO press release. He is being held at the Marion County Jail on a no bond basis

The press release indicated that on Aug. 31, deputies responded to a report that Lombardo “refused to return a 15-year-old juvenile victim to his parents after a sleepover at his home” although Lombardo had returned the juvenile’s siblings home previously.

Lombardo “coerced” the victim to make a video suggesting he wanted to stay and when the parents said they would call law enforcement, Lombardo reportedly replied “he was not concerned because he works with the schools and his reputation is spotless,” the press release stated.

“At the conclusion of the initial investigation, the juvenile was returned to his parents, and several of the children disclosed that Lombardo had touched them inappropriately and taken nude photos of them,” the press release stated.

Lombardo provided two cellphones for forensic review, “which revealed he had taken photos depicting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) of a young child. They also contained numerous images of the suspect cuddling with the children and pictures of their feet,” the press release indicated.

Lombardo was arrested by MCSO Major Crimes Detective Henrik Osthed.

“Throughout Detective Osthed’s investigation, he determined that Lombardo used his former position as juvenile victims’ Boys & Girls Club basketball coach to build trust and gain access to the children. He developed a pattern of keeping the children at his home for multiple-day stays, during which he molested two of the juvenile victims, exposed himself to the children, and photographed them inappropriately,” the press release stated.

Although the press release stated Lombardo had a coaching connection with the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County, an MCSO spokesperson later said Lombardo “was not an official volunteer with their organization. However, the team he coached met and practiced in the club located on Southwest 12th Avenue.”

April Savarese, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County, told the “Gazette” in an email message that Lombardo has never been an employee of the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County and there is no record of him volunteering.

“Mr. Carl Philip Lombardo is neither a current nor former employee of the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County. Furthermore, we have no record of Mr. Lombardo volunteering at any of our three Marion County locations,” she wrote.

“At the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County, the safety and protection of the young people we serve remain our top priority. We take any situation that could potentially affect their well-being with the utmost seriousness. To ensure a safe environment for our youth, all staff members and on-site volunteers undergo an annual level II background screening,” Savarese stated.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to the safety and security of the youth in our care and will continue to uphold our rigorous standards in all areas of operation,” she wrote.

During an interview with Osthed on the day before his arrest, Lombardo “provided contradicting statements about why the juveniles would disclose sexual abuse, the presence of CSAM on his phones, and his claims that he was trying to “save” the children from abuse. Lombardo also admitted that he offered the children’s parents $5,000 each to keep them.”

Lombardo confirmed images of CSAM on his phone depicted one of the juvenile victims, the press release indicated.

Lombardo was placed under arrest in view of “multiple disclosures of molestation, the evidence collected from his cellphones, and the coercion of the child victims through gifts, isolation, and threats,” the press release stated.

The press release stated that due to his apparent connection to youth through sports and the “predatory nature” of the crimes and use of isolation and control, detectives feel there may be additional victims.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Osthed at (352) 351-4710.