He was a popular weatherman in West Palm Beach, Florida until 2006. Then Rob Lopicola, the body builder, quit and was most recently working as a dancer and bartender at a Florida club.
However, what led to him being arrested outside his home this week has to do with what investigators say he did, which all started on Craigslist, they say, on the male seeking males free section. He allegedly lured two boys two separate times -- one of them 17 and the other 15.
The year-long investigation pointed to the 15-year-old having oral sex with Lopicola in a car in Florida. The teen then moved to Farmington Hills with his uncle. That's when the Oakland County Sheriff's Department helped track down text messages between the two.
"There was follow up communication between the perpetrator and the victim, a desire to continue the relationship. A desire, even an enticement, to run away and come live with him in Florida for awhile," Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said Tuesday.
Lopicola allegedly invited him back to Florida to have a three-way sexual meeting with him and another man.
"The perpetrator was 40 and he wanted to involve a 55 or 60-year-old with this person. It's disgusting on so many levels, but again, sadly, it's not unusual," Bouchard said.
The court documents spell out some of the messages, most too explicit to read on TV. One of them read, according to the sheriff, "I really like u! We have a big age difference, I'm a lot older, cud b yor dad. U sure u want an older boyfriend and bigger muscular guy too?" Investigators say it was sent after Lopicola discovered the teen's real age was 15.
"Lots of times a child won't report it. They're either threatened or encouraged or embarrassed or whatever the situation may be, and so they're allowed to perpetuate their victims," Bouchard said.
In this case, the Farmington Hills teen allegedly kept it quiet for months.
Lopicola wrote after leaving the TV station in 2006 he wanted to move into other aspirations, some spiritual in nature. Now he waits to face a judge in Florida on Wednesday.
Their alleged relationship ended after the teen reportedly decided that Lopicola was a danger not only to him, but he was afraid he would do other bad things to other teens, as well.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:05 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:05:51 GMT
Detroit ditto heads rejoice. Your leader is interested in news in Detroit, at least enough to qualify a report on a large Powerball jackpot as more proof that 'low-information outreach' is working.
Detroit ditto heads rejoice. Your leader is interested in news in Detroit, at least enough to qualify a report on a large Powerball jackpot as more proof that 'low-information outreach' is working.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:14 AM EDT2013-05-16 10:14:39 GMT
The Powerball jackpot has soared to $475 million after none of the tickets sold matched all the winning numbers in Wednesday night's drawing: 2, 11, 26, 34, 41 and a Powerball of 32.
The Powerball jackpot has soared to $475 million after none of the tickets sold matched all the winning numbers in Wednesday night's drawing: 2, 11, 26, 34, 41 and a Powerball of 32.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:19:58 GMT
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:25 GMT
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city.
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city where the movement started more than 80 years ago.
