Former WPTV Weatherman Robert Lopicola Facing Underage Sex Charges
42-year-old had sexual relationships with two boys, ages 15 and 17: Police
A former West Palm Beach weatherman is facing charges after authorities say he had sexual relationships with two teen boys dating back to 2010.
A former West Palm Beach weatherman is facing charges after authorities say he had sexual relationships with two teen boys dating back to 2010.
Robert J. Lopicola, 42, a former weatherman at WPTV an affiliate of NBC Universal, was arrested Monday at his home in Wilton Manors, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
Lopicola is charged with lewd or lascivious battery and computer pornography and child exploitation related to his sexual relationships with a 15 and 17-year-old, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office arrest affidavit.
The affidavit said the 15-year-old Boca Raton boy put an ad on Craigslist saying he was 18 and was a male seeking a male. Lopicola sent an email reply and the two began to exchange text messages with one another, the affidavit said.
The boy told investigators he told Lopicola he was 16, then later gave his real age of 15, and asked Lopicola if that was ok, the affidavit said.
"[The victim] was very insecure believing he was too old for Robert," the affidavit said. "Robert responded 14 to 16 years old is the 'perfect baby.'"
Lopicola, who now works as a personal trainer, also told the teen he "likes being a dad to his boyfriends," the affidavit said.
According to the affidavit, the two agreed to meet, and Lopicola drove to the boy's house and picked him up in his car. They drove to another part of the subdivision and had oral sex in the car, the affidavit said.
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The teen moved to Michigan but continued to exchange sexual text messages with Lopicola, the affidavit said. Lopicola even asked for the teen to send nude photos of himself, and the teen sent two, the affidavit said.
Lopicola is also accused of meeting a 17-year-old West Palm Beach boy through Craigslist in 2011. The 17-year-old told police that he and Lopicola had also had oral sex, the affidavit said.
According to the affidavit, Lopicola was caught by the boy's mother hiding in the shower of their home.
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Lopicola was being held without bond and his first court appearance was expected Tuesday. It was unknown whether he has an attorney.
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