Former coach arrested for multiple sex offenses involving children in Florida

OCALA, Florida — A former Boys and Girls Club basketball coach was arrested on multiple charges related to child sex offenses, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.Carl Philip Lombardo, a 58-year-old resident of Ocala, was taken into custody on charges including 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 a press release from the Marion County Sheriff's Office (MCSO).On August 31, 2024, MCSO deputies responded to a report that Lombardo refused to return a 15-year-old juvenile to his parents after a sleepover at his home. Lombardo had returned the juvenile's siblings earlier in the day but withheld the 15-year-old, sending a coerced video of the child requesting to stay with him. The child's parents contacted law enforcement, and the juvenile was eventually returned to them. Several children disclosed that Lombardo had touched them inappropriately and taken nude photos of them.A forensic review of Lombardo's cell phones revealed photos depicting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and numerous images of Lombardo cuddling with the children and pictures of their feet. Detective Henrik Osthed's investigation determined that Lombardo used his former coaching position to build trust and gain access to the children, developing a pattern of keeping them at his home for multiple-day stays during which he molested two juvenile victims, exposed himself, and photographed them inappropriately.On September 18, 2024, Lombardo was interviewed by Detective Osthed and provided contradicting statements about the allegations. He admitted to offering the children's parents $5,000 each to keep them and confirmed that the CSAM images on his phone depicted one of the juvenile victims.Based on the multiple disclosures of molestation, evidence collected from his cell phones, and the coercion of the child victims through gifts, isolation, and threats, Lombardo was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail, where he remains without bond. Detectives believe there may be other victims and encourage anyone with information to contact Detective Osthed at (352) 351-4710.