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Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Orange teacher accused of enticing minors for sex had taught Madeline Soto
An Orange County teacher arrested Wednesday for asking children to show their genitals knew Madeline Soto, the 13-year-old girl whose killing last year shocked Central Florida. Italo Rafael Brett Bonini, a music instructor at Hunter's Creek Middle School, used the Discord messaging app to contact two young brothers from Maryland and promised them in-game currency for the popular video game Roblox in exchange for exposing themselves online, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court by the FBI. Soto, who was a seventh-grader at the school when she was slain, allegedly by her mother's boyfriend, was a student in Brett Bonini's 6th-period class, according to reporting by WKMG News. The Orlando Sentinel reviewed court documents Monday evening establishing that police interviewed Brett Bonini after her disappearance. He was never a suspect, and there remains no reason to think he harmed her. The Kissimmee teenager went missing in late February 2024, propelling a massive four-day search by law enforcement that captivated Central Florida until her body was found in a wooded area near St. Cloud. Brett Bonini was questioned by the Orange County Sheriff's Office on Feb. 29, three days after Soto's mother, Jennifer Soto, reported her missing. He had also responded to a message from the mother on the day Madeline went missing, telling her that Madeline had been marked absent in that day's classes, WKMG said. The records reviewed by the Sentinel show Brett Bonini told law enforcement that Madeline did not discuss her home or personal lives with him and that she never said anything about abuse or suicidal thoughts or feelings. He also told police that she was a normal and helpful girl who seemed happy and participated in class, and that he hadn't noticed any changes in her behavior during the school year, according to the records. The prime suspect in Madeline's killing is 38-year-old Stephan Sterns, her mother's boyfriend who lived with the family. He faces dozens of charges of possessing child sexual abuse material as well as sexual battery of a minor. If convicted of the sex crimes he faces life in prison, and a murder conviction could result in the death penalty, which prosecutors are seeking. A federal judge ordered Monday that Brett Bonini be kept in the custody of law enforcement until his trial for enticing the Maryland boys, according to federal court records. At a court hearing on the same day, the FBI said there could be an additional 20 minor victims, according to reports from WFTV News. One of the messages sent to the boys from an individual later identified by authorities as Brett Bonini asked the two to pull down their pants and rub each others' genitals over video chat in exchange for 25,000 in Roblox currency, according to the complaint. The boys' mother told law enforcement only the older boy exposed himself. At the hearing, the FBI said that Brett Bonini may have found additional victims on Discord, where investigators have found a pattern of similar conversations. The FBI also mentioned that Brett Bonini had access to children's homes when he gave them private music lessons, the report from WFTV said. Additional reports from WKMG said prosecutors mentioned Brett Bonini may face deportation if he is convicted due to his citizenship status.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Yahoo
Hunter's Creek teacher promised kids virtual game money to expose themselves to him in video chat, FBI says
A teacher at Hunter's Creek Middle School was arrested Wednesday for asking children to show their genitals to him during video chat in exchange for virtual game money, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Music instructor Italo Rafael Brett Bonini used the Discord messaging app to contact two brothers from Maryland online and promised them in-game currency for the popular video game Roblox in exchange for exposing themselves to him over the app's video chat feature, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court by the FBI. The complaint said one was 8 years old and the other was around 5. Law enforcement was first contacted in January after the boys' father discovered sexual messages in the elder son's newly created Discord account, federal court records show. Only messages in the regular chat could be examined by law enforcement since video chat is not recorded, but no photos or videos were shared over regular chat. One of the messages from an individual later identified by authorities as Brett Bonini asked the boys to pull down their pants and rub each others' genitals over video chat in exchange for 25,000 in Roblox's in-game currency, according to the complaint. The boys' mother told law enforcement only the older boy exposed himself. Check your county's average home insurance cost, increases since 2022 Records show there were messages from Brett Bonini indicating he had shown his genitals to the elder son. 'I just wish you would show yours with me, I showed mine really easily,' one message said. The FBI conducted a search of Brett Bonini's home after reviewing information from Discord and tracking his IP address, according to the complaint. He admitted to FBI agents that he'd asked the older boy to show him his genitals. He said he'd recently deleted his Discord account because he was disgusted with himself. He said he 'fell into temptation that I should not have,' the complaint said. He told agents he chose to talk to children because they are 'easier to talk to' and he liked the aspect of control he felt he had talking with the elder son. A spokesperson for Orange County Public Schools told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday that Hunters Creek families were informed Wednesday that Brett Bonini was placed on administrative leave and would not return to campus during the investigation.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Yahoo
Orange County middle school teacher charged with federal sex crimes involving minor
The Brief A Hunter's Creek Middle School music teacher faces federal charges for allegedly enticing a minor into sexual activity via the app Discord. The FBI said it traced his IP address and said he admitted to deleting his account out of "disgust with himself." Orange County Public Schools placed him on leave as the investigation continues. ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - A middle school teacher in Orange County has been charged with federal sex crimes involving a child, according to court documents. What we know Prosecutors said Italo Rafael Brett Bonini, a music teacher at Hunter's Creek Middle School in Orange County, is facing felony charges for allegedly enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. The victim is reported to be an 8-year-old boy. Court documents reveal that Bonini is accused of using Discord, a messaging app popular among gamers, to communicate with children who were physically located in Maryland. Investigators with the Maryland State Police said Bonini solicited an 8-year-old boy to expose himself in exchange for video game currency. Bonini is also accused of exposing himself to the boy. Authorities said they traced Bonini's IP address to a home in Florida, and FBI investigators said he admitted to owning and deleting a Discord account. Orange County Public Schools confirmed that Bonini has been placed on administrative leave and will not return to the school during the investigation. What we don't know Bonini communicated with at least one other boy via Discord, according to court documents. It remains unclear if additional victims may be involved or if law enforcement has uncovered further evidence beyond Bonini's admission. Officials have not explained how the investigation began — whether it stemmed from a complaint, an undercover operation, or other means. There is also no information yet on whether Bonini had a prior history of similar accusations. The backstory In January, a Maryland State Trooper responded to the report of a computer crime involving two child victims. The father of the children told the trooper that he discovered "disturbing messages" in a Discord chat. The Discord user chatting with the children was later identified at Bonini, authorities said. With assistance from the FBI, authorities said they traced Bonini's IP address to a home in Florida and contacted local law enforcement. Bonini worked as a music teacher at Hunter's Creek Middle School. His role in the school and how he interacted with students outside of class is not fully known but this particular interaction occurred online with a child in another state. Discord, the app Bonini allegedly used, is widely used by children and teenagers for chatting while gaming. In recent years, law enforcement agencies have raised concerns about the platform's vulnerabilities, particularly in cases involving inappropriate communication between adults and minors. What they're saying The principal of Hunter's Creek Middle School sent a voice message to parents following the charges against Bonini, in which she said, "This individual will not be returning to the school during the investigation. Please be assured that we take all allegations very seriously, as the safety of our students and staff is always my top priority." FBI agents stated that Bonini admitted to owning and deleting his Discord account and expressed remorse, telling investigators he, "fell into temptation that I should not have. I'm not a sick individual, I made a mistake." Parents in the district like Diana Chacon said they are concerned. "Teachers are the second parents," said Chacon. "To just go and feel like they can't be in a safe place is really scary." Chacon said she is worried about her children talking to people online. "You trust your kids, but then again you don't know who they're speaking with. It's just like these random people," she added. "These kids are innocent, and stuff, and really they're like it's just a game." David Rivera is a father of a student in the district and he says the district should have a more thorough screening process when hiring teachers. "They should do background checks for teachers," said Rivera. "Look at their social media. Who are they talking to." Big picture view The case highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of children in online spaces where adults can easily communicate with minors. As more children engage in online gaming and social networking, cases like this raise questions about the need for stronger safeguards and parental oversight. What's next Orange County Public schools say Bonini has been suspended and will not return to the school during the criminal investigation. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information contained in documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and Orange County Public Schools.
