Former assistant principal pleads guilty to child porn charges

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - In federal court Friday morning, defendant Kyle Ritsema says he is guilty of possessing, producing and distributing child pornography.

The former Cypress Creek Middle-High School assistant principal is now facing decades in prison, explains attorney Anthony Rickman.

"Both of these defendants were involved in the Pasco County School System they're both in positions of power both in positions with children and they’re both engaged in sex with minors," said Rickman.

Ritsema and co-defendant William Napolitano, who worked as a bus manager for the Pasco School District, began sharing explicit images of children engaged in sex acts.

Federal prosecutors say the two fantasized about gang raping kids and spreading AIDS.

"In looking at how they would brag to each other about their conquest with children the facts are disturbing the cases are disturbing," said Rickman. 

A few months ago Napolitano pleaded guilty to child porn and molestation charges.

He was hoping for a mercy sentence but the judge slapped him with a life sentence.

Ritsema's attorney, Bjorn Brunvard doesn't think his client will have the same fate.

"Obviously I'm very worried about that but these two cases are very distinguishable. Mr. Ritsema involved consensual conduct with a teenager Mr. Napolitano involved very very young children and toddlers," said Bjorn.

It's unclear what kind of sentence the federal prosecutor will be seeking, but we will know in three months, when Ritsema is scheduled to be sentenced.