Pinellas teacher faces firing after paying student for sex

A Pinellas School District investigation has concluded that a Seminole High School teacher's effectiveness has been "diminished" after he allegedly met a 17-year-old male student at a bar, took him to his apartment, and paid him for sex.

School district records show that the St. Petersburg Police Department investigated Gerald DiPanfilo last summer on a charge of engaging a minor in prostitution. The police report includes a detailed account of sexual activity between DiPanfilo, 55, and the minor, who was a Pinellas County Schools student.

DiPanfilo provided a statement to police during the criminal investigation in which he admitted he had sex with the student but denied knowing the student was a minor. He said he may have given money to the minor, but later told school officials he was unable to recall what happened because of the amount of alcohol he had consumed.

The student told police that DiPanfilo gave him money to purchase crack and for sex, according to school records.

The police department referred the case to the State Attorney's office, which did not file formal charges against DiPanfilo. Instead, the case was turned over to the school district's Office of Professional Standards. School officials concluded that although DiPanfilo was not charged with a crime, "his effectiveness as a teacher as been diminished. As a teacher and leader of young people in this community, Mr. DiPanfilo has an ethical and moral obligation to be absolutely sure he initiates personal relationships only with persons who have obtained the age of legal consent and who are not students in Pinellas County Schools."

DiPanfilo was reassigned to the district's warehouse during the investigation, where he has been absent from work for 25 days, school records indicate.

The school district hired DiPanfilo as an elementary art teacher in 1992. He taught at Madeira Beach Middle School before transferring to Seminole High in 1997. His evaluations have been satisfactory, with the exception of a caution for misconduct from his principal in 2000.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement records show DiPanfilo was arrested in April and charged with driving under the influence and possession of drugs without a prescription. He was adjudicated guilty in July and was ordered to pay fines and serve probation.

Pinellas school superintendent Clayton Wilcox has recommended that DiPanfilo be fired based on violation of several School Board policies, including inappropriate sexual conduct including but not limited to lewd and lascivious behavior, indecent exposure, solicitation of prostitution, sexual battery, possession or sale of pornography involving minors and sexual relations with a student.

DiPanfilo has requested an administrative hearing.

- Donna Winchester, Pinellas education reporter

Comments

[joe in stpete]

I guess he is too pretty to go to jail?!?!?!

[cutter]

this case was turned over to the state attorneys office??? then it is sent back to the scool district??? If this guy was Joe six pack his butt would already be in jail.

[WHAT!!!??!!!]

AM I READING THIS RIGHT? Okay, the child is a minor, how can I be reading this sentence that says no formal charges were filed - instead turned over to school districts office?? The POLICE DEPT referred him to States Attny?? Then school officials concluded that although DiPanfilo was not charged with a crime, "his effectiveness as a teacher as been diminished. What the hell is wrong with everybody? Throw this disgusting piece of human trash in a cell.....NOW!

[beth]

what a 17 year old dont know how to say NO?!!!!!!

[JJ]

Check out his charges from last year:

http://pcsoweb.com/InmateBooking/SubjectResults.aspx?id=1245831

Why was he still allowed to teach with drug charges?

Florida..."Land for the Criminals"

I had him in middle school and high school. He was a pretty cool dude, kinda creepy but cool.

[JJ]

BTW ...He won't be eligible for America's Next Top Model!!

[Charlie B.]

Oh, Good grief! A traumatized, physically ill, Viet Nam Veteran, amputee, whose only crime is "viewing" child porno ( 17 & under) on a computer at home; gets 15 years in hardtime prison, and this creep teacher who actually is paying for sex acts with minors and using them to procure crack cocain gets let go for "diminished effectiveness".
And what about the student who is a willing participant in these crimes. Is he not being held responsible for his own actions ? The last time i checked it is illegal for a 17 year old to hang out in bars, consume alcohol, sell himself for sex and purchase crack cocain. Both of these individuals should be spending a long time in prison. Dont believe me then just ask Lucy!

[Joe]

Puh-leeze! A 17 y/o male is no child and is certainly no stranger to sex. The teacher didn't hold a gun to his head. This 17 y/o knew exactly what he was doing, and probably enjoyed it. It's just not that big of a deal. It's not as if this guy violated some poor, innocent 10 year old.

terminator will be defending him against firing by the district, i'm sure.

So basically...if the kid had been a few years older and not a student, we wouldn't be discussing this.

I think that's fair. I don't think the issue is paying him, but the fact that he was a student. Was this his student? Or are we talking he met the kid in a bar, picked him up, not knowing he was a minor?

If that's the case then it is kind of understandable why the SA would not follow up with pressing charges. He could possibly make a case that he assumed the kid was of age if the bar was 21+.

It seems that if he did in fact know he was a student, there would have been charges. If this is someone he knew was a student, then I do not understand the lack of charges. Not that I necessarily agree with long prison sentences for cases involving 17 year olds (such as we have seen), but repercussions should be there for those who knowingly violate the trust they have as teachers and school officials.

As for his previous charges, adjudication was withheld in the drug charge, which was prescription medication without prescription. Something I would venture a guess a lot of people could be technically guilty of. Not to downplay, but those seem to be his first charges of anything in the area.

[AHS]

I am a former student and I have nothing but the utmost love and respect for Mr. D. He was unconventional and extremely passionate about teaching and more importantly, molding us into adults. Shame on all of you for posting such hateful comments about a man I am CERTAIN positively influenced many students. He is obviously going through a difficult time, and I hope he knows there are students out there who are forever grateful for having had him in their lives.

AHS, by "unconventional" do you mean he likes underage boys?

Morale of the story, "beware of the artsy types."

Reply, where are this 17 year olds parents? My gosh, lock them up.

[ricco]

WHO IS HIRING THESE TEACHERS?
A THROUGH BACKGROUND AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST OF TEACHER APPLICANTS WOULD REDUCE THIS TO PRACTICALLY ZERO.
AT THE MOMENT IT SEEMS LIKE "TEACHER OF THE MONTH" IS PERV OF THE MONTH!

[Ryan]

Mr D was an amazing teacher. The best I had in School. It a shame this happened, but what I learned in his class will not be forgotten.
WarHawks!!!!!

[Amanda]

There needs to be a little more clarification with the article. 1: did he know this was a student or some random guy in a bar we would all assume is 21+? 2: why wasn't he fired after the drug possession charges? 3: will the 17yr old be charged as well in engaging in prostitution and drug possession? I highly doubt the 17yr old is a so called "victim".

[Jan]

Hey Mr. D! Had you in high school. Please get help! You were such a nice teacher, seek help so you can live a fuller life.

[Jason]

The article is incorrect. He was my art teacher at Seminole High in 1991. He was also a Sunday School teacher at a local Catholic Church, so he gets the attraction to young boys honestly.

[feester]

the guy wrote this made a big mistake too. He spelled Mr. D's name wrong in the fourth paragraph. "he who is without sin, cast the first stone." DONT SQUEEZE THE D. the kids a liar. Mr. D is a good guy.

[Michael Hansen]

As a nontenured new teacher in Pinellas in 2001, I was fired for
not listing arrests (for which I was
never convicted) on a contract form.
They also charged me with a misdemeanor
of "false statement". Apparently they
are less strict with a tenured teacher.
Go figure!

[Bruce]

Just another bumper-thumper biting the dust!

[Rolph]

These bumper-thumper's should NOT be teaching our kids! This is a tragedy of epic proportions. I see a Lifetime movie in the making.

[BC]

I had Mr. D as a teacher back in the early 90s at SHS as well, and he was a good guy. Sorry to see how things have taken a bad turn. But I agree with some of my fellow SHS alumni that Mr. D has done so much good for so many. Allegations coming from an underage crackdealing hustler won't change my opinion of him.

[Raj]

Before Charles Manson was sent away, he was asked if he would miss the sexx. His response: "There's plenty of sexx in prison." I believe this individual, or "bumper-thumper" as he's being referred, will have his dance card filled each and every night in prison. He'll be making sweet love morning, noon, and night.

[I am S]

Way to draw people to the article with the headline - makes it sound like it was one of his students. It wasn't. Sounds like the guy sought out a kid in class and offered him money to perform. Didn't happen that way. Obviously we aren't given the entire story, just enough to make it sound juicy. The bottom line is he wasn't arrested so let's hold off on our judgement. If it was cut and dry, I'm sure he wouldn't have requested a hearing. He would have just resigned and not had all this info go public. To be willing to put up with this embarassment makes me think there's more to this than we realize.

[Seminole Student]

Mr. D was one of my favorite teachers at Seminole High. He was a great teacher and inspired many students. He was outgoing, friendly, and always had a smile on his face. I am very sorry to hear he is going through some rough times. We love you Mr. D!

[ZPS]

It pains me to no avail that all of you can slander such a wonderful man. I had the pleasure of being one of Mr. D’s students in middle school and then again in high school. He was one of the most caring, thoughtful, and devoted teachers I have ever had. I am sure that those of you that have had the pleasure of knowing him can see past this one-sided article and know that there is much more to this story that is not being told. Mr. D is a great man and I have nothing but the highest regards for him. I can only hope that all of the story comes to light and those of you with the derogatory remarks can eat your ignorant words.

[thats gottahurt]

I hope this pillow biter learned his lesson. Sounds to me like prision is going to be club med for this rump ranger. Although I think he will be doing more catching than pitching if you know what I am saying word to the turd

[SHS Alum]

I'm also SHS alumni and can attest that Mr. D was one of the most loved teachers at the school. It's very sad to hear about all of this, but I wish him the best and will keep him in my thoughts.

[Scott]

Mr D was a great teacher when I had him in high school. He really did care about his students. I feel alot of these comments should be reserved untill a conclusion has been brought to the investigation.

[Mr. Joshua]

I don't think this pillow biter, or bumper-thumper, truly understands the magnitude of the circumstances he faces. Now, when he goes to prison, his rump will be put into overdrive. It's going to be a love-making bonanza for this creep. He will be worn out. It will be a nonstop orgy in there for him. He will be wearing diapers when the term is up.

[BC]

I can't believe how many ignorant comments are being posted. But, I'm happy to see how many former students are speaking up in his defense to temper the comments from the less educated. A shame to see so many people eager to slam a great educator, while being in so dire need of one.

[tony]

i have a dui, can i be a teacher?

[Matt]

My only comment is actually a question: what do you think would have happened if the 17 year old had been a girl? Different outcome?

[UH YEAH]

UGH YEAH MATT, IF IT WERE A 17 YEAR OLD GIRL, IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT, HE WOULDNT BE KNOWN AS A PILLOW BITER. DID YOU REALLY NEED TO ASK?

[weed]

mr D was a great teacher....to ppl bashing him u have no heart ..shit happens ppl make mastake i dont kno y he stooped to that level of doin sucha thing but everyone makes mistake n his personal life is none of our busy the lil 17 yr old boy isnt innocent either he didnt say no oviously..so its not all his fault i think if the 17 yr old boys gay his parents should teach him tp pick guyz out n his age level not 40 years older but mr. D teaching was awsome n that doesnt change my mind of what a great teacher he was ... he could care less what ppl think about him n his personal life all he cared about was teaching so think before u ppl think n remember he not the only guilty one either that lil poll smoker is