Why is Rob Lopicola a registered sex offender?

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Rob Lopicola Child Sex Arrest: The Creepiest Text Messages You've Ever Seen - The True Story (estimated read time - 6 minutes)

Rob Lopicola was an exemplary member of society during the early years of his career as a television weatherman and fitness model. Once again, today, he is a productive, positive, sober, influential member of society. Rob has trained and coached hundreds of people to change their course of life and become much improved versions of themselves. The testimonials speak for themselves. His latest book, The Art of Self Mastery,  is one of the best written works of this era about life change and self empowerment. 

However, there were several years of alcohol, drug addiction, and sexual promiscuity which brought Lopicola to his knees, into handcuffs, and 5 years behind bars somewhere in the middle of then and now. 

The media headlines attempted to crush his reputation using terminology such as, "the creepiest text messages you've ever seen," "pervert weatherman," "child sex arrest," sex with underage boys," "telemarketing fraud," and others. These headlines do not shine light on the full story behind Rob Lopicola.

There are false reports as well. For example, if you click here, this report states the truth that Lopicola was acquitted of lewd and lascivious battery, but adds that he was convicted of possessing child pornography (this report was redacted for false reporting and can no longer be found). There was NEVER a charge nor conviction of child pornography. If you click here, this story says that Lopicola was convicted of lewd and lascivious battery (this report was also redacted for false reporting and can no longer be found). This is false, no he was not! He was acquitted of this charge when the truth was revealed during trial. This charge was clearly a false allegation.

This report leads with the headline, "Rob Lopicola convicted of sex with boys." Lopicola was NOT convicted of having sex with boys. This same article states, "He allegedly committed the crime (telemarketing scam) while serving time." Once again untrue. (This report has not been redacted for false reporting as of yet).

Rob Lopicola worked as a telemarketer for 6 months in 2009 for Premier Timeshare Solutions during his selfish, alcoholic-driven lifestyle - 4 years before he was charged. Additionally, the article states, "Lopicola and the company pocketed the millions." Wildly exaggerated. Yes it is true Lopicola did work for a telemarketing company that was a scam and the company made millions during its operation. However, Lopicola's income from the company for the few months under their employ was tiny by comparison. Lopicola was facing 36 months for working as a telemarketer. 

The prosecutor and judge were lenient because his part was not significant, although he committed a crime punishable under the law because he had knowledge of what the business owners were doing (thus conspiracy). The judge lowered the sentence from 36 months to 21 months. The prosecutor than motioned the judge for more leniency of 14 months. Therefore he did one year in federal custody. Lopicola accepted the terms and pledged to "never live like that again!"

Rob Lopicola paid the price, did his time, and now he is on a new path.

There are numerous stories that vary about what really happened over a decade ago with Lopicola. 

Rumors and gossip in the community spread like fire during those few years surrounding 2010.  Since then, Rob Lopicola has become an example, and a shining light, proving that anyone can rise from the ashes. He paid a heavy price for his actions during that time. No man should be exempt from the opportunity to change and transform their life. Humans have the ability to change, grow, and rise again after they fall. Humans are flexible during the course of their lives, and this flexibility allows for changed attitudes, actions, and behaviors. Former WPTV weatherman Rob Lopicola is one of those humans.

Rob Lopicola ONLY Used Adult Dating Sites

During that time when Rob Lopicola was single, and living a party lifestyle, he visited adult dating and hook up sites frequently, such as Adam for Adam, Manhunt, Grindr, and Craigslist. He met men whose ages ranged from 18 to 50. 

However, former WPTV weatherman Rob Lopicola was charged in 2012 for having sexual activity with two minors. Apparently, Rob responded to two young men on an adult site, Craigslist, in the men seeking men section. This adult site required those who participated to be 18 and over. 

One was a 19-year-old college student looking to hook up with men "anonymously." The other was an 18-year-old seeking "older men for sex." Rob responded to those two ads during a 6-month period in late 2010 and early 2011.  

There is an alarming need to warn adults that minors are posting ads as adults on these sites, and because "ignorance of age" is not a defense for anyone, many adults may find themselves committing an unknown crime. For more CLICK HERE.

How Lopicola Started This Mess 

Rob Lopicola suffered from alcohol abuse since the 1990s. Later, beginning in 2010, he suffered from methamphetamine addiction.  

His career fell apart in 2006 as his alcohol addiction rapidly progressed. During his abusive drinking, Lopicola became promiscuous and used dating apps for hook ups and cybersex. In 2006, his online activity, along with his promiscuity, led to nude pictures of him being exposed to his boss at WPTV. They had no choice but to ask him to resign. He accepted with much regret, and the public had no idea why he was no longer working there until years later.  

Gossip and rumors flooded the community about their beloved weatherman. As Rob Lopicola fell from grace and experienced the disappointment from those around him, the shame and guilt pushed him into an alcoholic depression. Soon after that, he was bankrupt and homeless. At times, he would find a little success and get on his feet, but the alcohol and promiscuity inevitably kept him trapped in this cycle.  

In 2010, Rob Lopicola began using "crystal meth," adding another addiction to his life. This catapulted his online hook ups, promiscuity, and his activity with cybersex. His reputation was destroyed, and the community had lost respect for him, unaware of why he fell from grace so fast and hard.   

Drug and alcohol addiction is complicated. Each person's journey through their darkest days is unique to them, but some of the most common actions taken by the addict are promiscuity and apathy. While it's easy to say there is a rule book on how someone acts and feels through their addictions, one can never understand the internal pain and struggle an addict experiences. It never justifies the actions, but it can provide insight into the mind of the addict. 

Rob Lopicola Was Told, "I am 19"

Two instances would later get him arrested and behind bars. One was seemingly innocent. A college student of "19" posted an ad on Craigslist for an anonymous sexual encounter. Rob Lopicola responded and went to his house. Within a couple minutes of his arrival, the teen's mother came home. Rob was hiding in the shower fully clothed (some media falsely reported that Lopicola was nude). The teen told him, "Hide in the shower; it's my girlfriend. I'll get rid of her quick." Unfortunately for Lopicola, it was his mom. She found him in the shower, and she called the police. The teen's mom told Lopicola, "my son is only 17 years old." Lopicola then sat on the couch, grateful nothing intimate happened, and waited for the police to arrive. 

When the police arrived and investigated the situation, they agreed no crime was committed. The phone records showed the teen did message Lopicola, stating he was "19". When the investigation was concluded, Lopicola was sent home. The police records show Lopicola and the teen never met before that night and no crime was committed.

During the investigation, it was discovered the teen had hooked up with and sent nude pictures of himself to other older adults prior to his interaction with Rob Lopicola. There were no pictures exchanged between Lopicola and the teen.

Rob Lopicola's Headline, "The Creepiest Text Messages You've Ever Seen" - Here's The True Story

Rob Lopicola answered another ad on Craigslist late 2010 from an 18-year-old seeking "older men for sex.” Lopicola responded and shortly the teen and Lopicola exchanged numbers. The two engaged in egregious cybersex on a couple of occasions, one of which went public and landed Lopicola in jail.

Rob Lopicola and the teen never met nor exchanged pictures, other than one picture Lopicola saw in the initial Craigslist ad from the teen. Under the influence of drugs and the fantasy of cybersex, Lopicola and the teen were carried away in a raunchy, disturbing, incestuous fantasy as dad and son. If you were to read the cybersex between them, it is obvious to some that Lopicola was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time. The cybersex is monotonous, egregious, unrealistic, and extreme. The nature of the cybersex was such that it is hard to believe Rob Lopicola was talking to anyone other than another adult. 

Interestingly, the teen deleted all his text messages from his phone and there was no record found, even when subpoenaed by the defense attorney, of the teens participation in the cybersex. At one point, the teen told Lopicola, after stating “is 15 ok,” that “I can be any age you want me to be.” Lopicola responded, “15 is perfect”. The teen said on another occasion in cybersex, “if 15 is too old, I can be any age you want me to be.” Lopicola responded, “14-16 is the perfect baby.” The media took these texts completely out of context.

It was discovered later that the teen was doing an “investigation” on his own accord - an idea he got from a TV show. It was also discovered on the teens phone as a self-reminder, "remember to put 18 on Craigslist and not my real age."  This is on the trial record as a text he sent himself months before his interaction with Rob Lopicola. The record also shows that the teen had been "hooking up" with other older men from Craigslist.

The teen was in fact a 15-year-old in 10th grade. Lopicola had no knowledge of this fact other than the sexting where the teen stated he was 15. The teen initially stated he was 18, then later 17, followed by “I’m really 16.” During their second and final cybersex encounter, the teen said, “I am 15, but I can be any age you want me to be.” Lopicola believed it was a form of fantasy and roleplay. Under the influence of methamphetamine, Lopicola was not in his right mind to see the potential threat this could in fact be a 15-year-old. He eventually suffered the consequence of his actions.

It's important to note that with the many men Lopicola had sexual encounters with, online and in-person, these were the only two underage, and both were under false pretenses. Psychologists agreed that if he intended on harming children, there would have been many more throughout his addiction due to the number of encounters he had, and all were of age.   

Rob Lopicola's Headline, "Child Sex Arrest"

Ignorance of age is NOT a defense under the law in sex crimes. For example, if you were to meet a young girl of 21 at a bar and she had ID to prove it, and you were to have a sexual encounter with her, no crime was committed. However, if she was under 18 with fake ID, you would be arrested, convicted, and would be required to register as a sex offender for life. A disturbingly horrible consequence from an innocent situation.

Rob Lopicola answered adds on Craigslist of a “19-year-old” and an “18-year-old." However, they lied about their ages and Lopicola was charged and convicted. The 19-year-old was in fact 17, and the 18-year-old was in fact 15.

The charges were such that Rob Lopicola was humiliated locally and nationally. It is a fact that Lopicola did have egregious cybersex with a high school teen who he believed was an 18-year-old, and it is a fact he did meet up with who he thought was a 19-year-old college student. Lopicola had no intention of having sex with a 17-year-old nor to have cybersex with a 15-year-old high school teen. Intent and Ignorance of age is no defense under the law. The record shows all the other sexual encounters Lopicola had were with adults ranging from 18 to 50 years old during the 18-month investigation and witness statements.

Rob Lopicola was investigated for 18 months prior to his arrest in July 2012. Some of the charges were later dropped, changed, and during trial, Lopicola was found not guilty of having sex with any minor. The investigation record had thousands of texts and emails from Lopicola for a period of 18 months, however there were only two isolated instances which lead to his arrest in 2012. 

During the investigation, a detective on the case regressed his face image to that of a 14-year-old and contacted Rob on Facebook. Rob declined talking with him and never accepted his friend request due to his age. To some, Rob may have lived unconventional, but he did not seek out minors. 

Rob Lopicola was convicted of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct due to the nature of cybersex with the high school teen. Lopicola was also convicted of Computer Pornography and Child Exploitation because he used his cell phone for the sexting and the teen was under 18, thus a child. There were no pictures exchanged between them nor any sexual contact. The cybersex occurred in 2010.

Rob Lopicola was also convicted of Attempted Battery of a Child due to attempting to have sex with the 17-year-old, even though nothing happened between them. The state of Florida charged Lopicola with Attempting to have sex with a minor even though the teens mom came home before anything sexual occurred. Under law, an attempt is a crime. Lopicola was charged. Lopicola took a plea deal which prevented a second trial. A plea deal was offered and Rob accepted the charge of Attempted Battery of a child. This encounter occurred in early 2011.

Rob Lopicola’s Life Transformation

Rob Lopicola lost his respect and integrity within the community long before his arrest. He had a reputation of dating younger guys, being promiscuous, and hooking up on dating apps. He was known to drink heavily and engaged in cybersex enough that it darkened his reputation further. Rumors and gossip spread about him. He lost hope and sank deeper into addiction and depression. The public was unaware of the sinking ship they were witnessing.

The media had a field day with his journey, from the loss of his job at WPTV, to the timeshare scam where he was a telemarketer, and to his arrest in 2012. The media tainted his image almost beyond repair. The media unfortunately proclaimed Lopicola a menace without all the facts. There was seemingly no hope of Lopicola returning to society with respect, integrity, and dignity.

He proved everyone wrong. He recreated his life and dignity. He transformed in prison for five grueling years. He suffered the loss of his mother one year before his release and his father several years later. Today he uses his transformation to help others find their way. His story today is filled with love and respect from the community as he continues to change and transform lives. He formed the Academy of life Change and has his own facility where he coaches many people who seek life change. He uses his story to help others find happiness and purpose for themselves as he has. 

If you are suffering with addiction, loneliness, depression, or perhaps you are feeling lost and hopeless, take a hard look at the man he has become, and perhaps he can be a beacon of hope for you and many today who suffer as he once has. If Rob Lopicola can change and transform, so can anyone, even you.

Your journey to self-discovery and transformation is only a call away. You are not alone, and you don't have to live with addiction, depression, or self-loathing. Instead, seek help and change your mindset to become the best version of yourself today! A new journey awaits you – one with light, love, and support. It's never too late. 

Author: Larissa Love of Magnetic Content