A man who taught first grade at a Kissimmee elementary school is being accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy that he met through an LGBTQ+ dating app.
Osceola County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Joel Velasco Tapil on Friday, April 14, on a charge of sexual battery on a person under the age of 18.
During a press conference on Monday, April 17, Sheriff Marcos Lopez provided details on the case, which was brought to their attention by the father of the victim on Friday, April 14.
The father told police that his son had been sexually battered while he was in Tapil’s home.
According to Lopez, the teenager met Tapil through the dating app Grindr, which is used by members of the LGBTQ+ community. The boy agreed to meet with Tapil and went to his home.
While he was at the home, Tapil began forcibly kissing and touching the child inappropriately, despite the child’s repeated requests that he stop.
At one point, Tapil allegedly held the child down while he continued to kiss and touch him inappropriately.
The child was eventually able to break free and fled the home.
After the incident was reported to police, Tapil was detained and a search warrant was executed at his home.
The arrest comes less than two weeks after a counselor at Baldwin Park Elementary School in Orlando was arrested on accusations that he was in possession of multiple images and videos depicting child pornography.
During his press conference, Lopez urged parents to stay vigilant and monitor social media apps being used by their children.
If you or anyone you know has been victimized by Joel Velasco Tapil, contact the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at 407-348-1100, or the Central Florida Crimeline at 800-423-8477.