July 10, 2025 – Punta Gorda, FL
After an investigation began in April into the allegations against Dagoberto Pena, Detective Don Woelke who is assigned to the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force has federally indicted Pena on four charges related to child pornography.
On April 26, 2025, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call from a concerned parent after she had discovered disturbing conversations between Pena and her child on the child’s cellphone. This prompted an investigation and notification to Punta Gorda Police Department due to it falling within their jurisdiction. Punta Gorda Police Department received notice and promptly began an investigation into the allegations.
After search warrants were obtained on both his personal and work phones, graphic images, text messages, and videos were discovered between Pena and three juvenile victims. As a basketball coach at Charlotte High School, Pena used his position to lure his victims into vulnerable situations. In order to gain their trust, he offered things like free private training sessions and even gave gifts of expensive apparel and shoes. This subsequently escalated into inappropriate sexual relationships between Pena and the victims.
“It is our job as adults, especially adults in trusted positions, to protect our children at all costs. To see that trust betrayed in such a disgusting manor is nothing short of evil. There is no excuse in the world that can justify the actions of this master manipulator, and I am thankful to Detective Don Woelke for working to charge this predator accordingly. Unfortunately, these sickening individuals exist, but I take comfort knowing one less is walking freely in Charlotte County. My sincere hope is that the victims and their families can begin the healing process knowing he is being held accountable for his actions. “
-Sheriff Bill Prummell
He went as far as to travel to a victim’s home to engage in sexual activities where he recorded their encounters despite the victim verbalizing that they were uncomfortable with it. Pena would also remind them to erase explicit videos and/or images after he sent them and warned that if they were to tell anyone about their relationship that he would go to jail.
An arrest warrant was obtained and on April 29th Dagoberto Pena was arrested and transported to the Charlotte County Jail on the following charges.
- Unlawful Sexual Activity with Certain Minors
- Lewd Lascivious Battery Encourages Sex Victim Less 16 YOA
- Lewd Lascivious Battery Victim 12 to 16 YOA X2
- Traveling to Meet a Minor After Using Computer to Lure Child X2
- Authority Figure Solicit Engage Sex Conduct with Student X2
While Punta Gorda Police Department remained instrumental in handling the state level charges against Pena, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Detective Don Woelke began the process to federally indict him on 4 separate child pornography charges. On July 9, 2025, Detective Woelke federally indicted Pena on the following federal charges.
- 2 counts of Production of Child Pornography
- 1 count of Receipt of Child Pornography
- 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography
“The Punta Gorda Police Department considers the safety and protection of our children and students to be our highest priority. Few matters are as serious or as urgent as shielding them from predators like Dagoberto Pena. We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the safety of our community, and we are working tirelessly to bring comfort, justice, and support to the victims and their families affected by this appalling and manipulative abuse of trust. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Computer Forensic Unit, the Charlotte County Major Crimes/FBI Task Force, the Charlotte County State Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Fort Myers for their collaboration and unwavering support in bringing Dagoberto Pena to justice. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance, cooperation, and community in the fight against those who prey on the innocent.”
– Chief Pam Smith, Punta Gorda Police Department
“There is no place in our schools, or our society, for individuals who prey on children. The arrest of Dagoberto Pena is a vile and unforgivable betrayal of the trust families place in us. Our number one priority is protecting students, and we will always support law enforcement in ensuring that individuals like this are behind bars, exactly where they belong. “
– Mark Vianello, Superintendent of Schools
While the federal indictment process has now begun, we still encourage anyone with information or anyone who feels their child may have also been a victim to contact the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office at (941) 639-2101.