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Prosecutors: Pasco County school administrators targeted children for abuse

William Matthew Napolitano met a 15-year-old boy on "Grindr" and had a sexual relationship with him for years, according to investigators.
Credit: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Kyle Ritsema (left) and William Napolitano (right)

TAMPA, Fla. -- A former Pasco County Schools transportation manager was sentenced Thursday to life in federal prison after pleading guilty in August to possession of child porn along with enticing and coercing a minor into sexual activity. But, on the same day of his sentence, details are emerging about how he and another school administrator allegedly talked about abusing kids.

William Matthew Napolitano, 35, admitted to meeting a 15-year-old student on the mobile app “Grindr" and carrying out a sexual relationship with the underage boy that lasted for several years, according to prosecutors.

"During that time, Napolitano invited the student to view his collection of child pornography, invited him to watch live productions of child pornography on the internet, and invited him to engage in group sex with other adults and minors," U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez wrote in a statement. "Napolitano also produced and distributed child pornography of the student."

Lopez said a search of Napolitano's electronic devices exposed a pattern of targeting children for sexual encounters. His large child porn collection included young children and sadistic and masochistic activity, prosecutors said.

But, Napolitano wasn't alone.

As 10News reported back in February, a Pasco County assistant principal was also arrested on federal child porn charges.

Kyle Ritsema, 35, of Land O' Lakes, who had worked at Cypress Creek Middle High School, was charged with possessing, creating and distributing child pornography.

Prosecutors allege the two talked about abusing children.

According to a sentencing memorandum in Napolitano's case: "The two constantly traded war stories about sexually abusing children and conspired to have group sex with minors."

The memorandum says Napolitano even told Ritsema he wanted them to take a trip to "breed" children.

Ritsema's next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 21.

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