PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Special agents are seeking the public’s help to identify possible additional victims in an ongoing child sexual exploitation investigation involving an assistant principal at Cypress Creek Middle High School in Pasco County, Florida.
Kyle Dale Ritsema, 35, of Land O’Lakes, was arrested Feb. 13, 2018, by HSI special agents for production, possession, and distribution of child pornography.
Ritsema, who is originally from Michigan, lived in Tampa and New Port Richey before establishing residence in Land O’Lakes. He began his career with the District School Board of Pasco County in approximately 2006 at Paul R. Smith Middle School as a math teacher, and held similar positions at Gulf Highland Elementary School and Seven Springs Middle School before promoting as an assistant vice principal at River Ridge Middle School, Pine View Middle School, and most recently Cypress Creek Middle High School.
According to court records, Ritsema established relationships with young male juveniles on various social media applications including Grindr, Kik Messenger and SCRUFF, and then met them off-line.
“We believe there are more children that were victimized by this predator, and we ask for the public and parents to help us identify them and make sure they receive the support they need,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero “This case serves as a warning to our communities to be vigilant about our children’s online activities.”
