TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Therapist Convicted Again In Online Sex-Abuse Case

ADVERTISEMENT

By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 27, 2009

TAMPA - A 78-year-old mental health therapist was convicted today for the second time on a charge that he drove to the Tampa area to sexually and physically abuse two boys.

Charles Friedlander of Fort Myers faces up to life in prison for attempting to use a computer to induce children for sex. He was originally convicted in December but granted a new trial by U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore because of a mistake by the prosecutor in the first trial.

The case involved an online sting by law enforcement. The prosecution said Friedlander began an online conversation with an undercover detective he thought shared his interest in sexual gratification through the sexual abuse and beating of young children. The detective posed as a father willing to allow Friedlander to abuse his sons, ages 10 and 11.

The defense maintained Friedlander is "a 78-year-old lonely man whose only social life is on the Internet" and not a pedophile.

Friedlander's attorney, George Tragos, sought the second trial because Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Kaiser erroneously accused a defense expert witness of using an out-of-date reference book.

Friedlander was arrested after driving to the Tampa area from Fort Myers to meet the father and boys. Investigators found a razor strap and a riding crop in his car.

Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT