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Teacher Arrested After Rendezvous With Boy

News Channel 8 image.

Derrick Richard Sepp, 32, met the boy at a Regal Cinema at Eagle Ridge Mall in Lake Wales on March 15, detectives said.

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 2, 2008

LAKE WALES - A man who called himself Eric corresponded with a 12-year-old boy on MySpace and the two agreed to meet in person at a Polk County shopping mall, police said.

They had agreed to tell each other what they would be wearing so they could identify each other, a news release said.

Eric, whose real name is Derrick Richard Sepp, met the boy at a Regal Cinema at Eagle Ridge Mall in Lake Wales on March 15, detectives said. Inside the movie theater, Sepp fondled the boy as he kissed him, the news release said. The boy, who told Sepp he was 12, also fondled the 32-year-old man, detectives said.

After the movie was over, they went their separate ways.

They rendezvoused again today at the same mall.

This time, it resulted in Sepp's arrest.

Sepp, of Fort Myers, was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation. As he was being booked into Polk County Jail, he told police that he is a teacher at Labelle Middle School in Hendry County.

During the investigation, detectives asked the boy's parents if the 12-year-old would again contact Sepp to arrange a second meeting. The boy agreed and was accompanied by seven undercover officers when he arrived at the mall today.

The boy was sitting on a bench in front of the movie theater about 4 p.m. when Sepp walked in. Police arrested Sepp and the boy identified him as the man he met on March 15, the news release said.

Sepp's booking information was not immediately available. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending, police said.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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