Ex-drama instructor accused of soliciting child, police say
An instructor at a Pembroke Pines private school was arrested Monday, accused of using a cellphone to seduce a child, police said.
Sylvers Derrick Robinson, 29, of Miami, was fired Monday from his job coaching drama classes and counseling kids at Harvard International Academy, said Ingrid Mason, director of student services at the school that is located at 7932 Pines Blvd.
After a 14-year-old boy complained to his mother on Sept. 5 that Robinson was making him feel uncomfortable and sending text messages, she reported the situation, Pembroke Pines police said.
A detective impersonated the teenager by using the child’s phone. Robinson is accused of texting photographs of adults engaged in sex acts as well as a photo of himself wearing briefs, and asked the teen for a shirtless photo. He also asked the child about his sexual experience and whether he was attracted to him, among other messages, police said.
Robinson admitted to police that he sent the texts but said his intentions were taken out of context and that he was only trying to be a big brother for the child, according to the arrest report. Robinson also told police he is not attracted to the boy and only made the sexual comments in an attempt to have the child disengage from the inappropriate communications, the report said.
Robinson told investigators he had the feeling the child was attempting to set him up, according to police.
Robinson is facing three charges: directing or promoting sexual performance by a child, using a computer to solicit or lure a child to engage in any sexual conduct and transmission of material that is harmful to minors.
His lawyer could not be identified.
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