Crisis Center Worker Accused Of Sending Explicit Material To Teen Girl

TAMPA, FL — A former employee of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is facing charges after being accused of sending obscene content to a juvenile he met through the 211 hotline.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, around 9:30 a.m. March 28, a teen girl called 211 with a crisis. The hotline is designed for people who are struggling with thoughts of depression, suicide or other mental health issues to speak with an intervention specialist 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The teen girl provided her contact information and was told that someone would call her back.

A short time later, the teen received a return phone call via a recorded line from a man who identified himself as an employee of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.

After speaking with the man for more than an hour, the teen received a call back less than an hour later from a restricted number. She recognized the voice as the same counselor she had spoken with earlier.

The man, who identified himself as “William,” proceeded to call the teen's cell phone from the restricted number multiple times throughout the day claiming to check on her. He also requested the girl's Instagram username, which she provided, and he followed her on the social media platform.

After continuing to communicate that day via Instagram direct messages and phone calls, the call taker sent the teen explicit photographs and videos, in addition to requesting nude photographs of her, which she did not provide.

The following day, March 29, the teen reported the incident to a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office school resource deputy at her high school.

Upon investigating the incident, deputies learned that Christopher Augusto Laracuente Cotto, 32, a call taker who had been employed at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay for about two months, according to the center, was the counselor who had been communicating with the teen.

Laracuente Cotto is also a volunteer worship leader at Iglesia Adoración Y Palabra Jesucristo Es El Señor (Iglesia APJS) in Wesley Chapel, according to church pastors.

In addition to obtaining a confession from Laracuente Cotto, detectives obtained a subpoena for his cell phone, confirming the accusation from the teen.

On Thursday, Laracuente Cotto was arrested on charges of transmission of harmful material to a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. He has been fired from the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.

"I cannot think of anything more despicable than taking advantage of a child during their time of crisis. This individual abused his power, violated the trust of the victim and, equally important, he violated the trust of his employer, a well-respected nonprofit organization that helps tens of thousands of people in need every year," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "I strongly believe this individual is in no way a reflection of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay or the profoundly positive impact the center has made on the lives of children and adults in our community through the 211 hotline. I do not believe this incident should prevent anyone who is struggling from turning to the crisis center for help, and we continue to encourage our residents to do so."

Detectives are asking anyone else who feels they may be a victim, or anyone with additional information related to this case, to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477).