A Pennsylvania man who taught at an all-boys Catholic high school for 41 years was arrested in Atlantic City for allegedly trying to meet up with a 15-year-old boy for sex.
Gerald Colapinto, 65, was found inside an Atlantic City casino on Tuesday, when Cameron Decker approached him while recording. Colapinto said he was waiting for someone.
That’s when Decker, who goes by Mr. Web on YouTube, showed him a picture of the teen he allegedly thought he was meeting.
Decker told Colapinto the teen is a 15-year-old boy. But Decker later told BreakingAC that he only tells those he confronts that to try to make them understand the seriousness of their actions.
“It was probably just a mistake on your part,” Decker tells Colapinto as he tries to talk him into continuing their conversation outside.
“Probably,” Colapinto responds, adding that he would rather just go back to his room.
But, if he does that, Decker warns, he will need to notify police.
The men then walk outside, where Colapinto reveals he was a high school math teacher for 41 years, beginning in 1980.
Shafiq Blake, who runs Predator Catchers PA on YouTube, also is heard in the video and has a video of the interaction as well.
Jerry Colapinto was “a fixture” at Holy Ghost Prep, according to a now-deleted Facebook post announcing his retirement last year.
A day after his arrest, Principal Kevin Burke sent an email to its community, including alumni and alumni parents, to acknowledge the “deeply disheartening and troubling news” of Colapinto’s arrest.
“We have no knowledge of any alleged misconduct by Mr. Colapinto during his tenure at the school,” Burke wrote. “However, given our knowledge of recent events and the current allegations, we will make the appropriate reporting to the authorities and will fully cooperate with any investigation into the alleged misconduct.”
In Atlantic City, Colapinto admits he sent a picture of his genitals to the teen and asked for one in return. He continues to say he did not believe the profile was real.
He is then asked to use his math skills to point out the age difference between him and the teen he was allegedly trying to meet.
Decker then says, before they part, he wants Colapinto to walk 50 steps away and 50 back to have the age difference sink in.
Colapinto gets about 30 steps when the police show up.
Decker tells them what he does and shows them the conversations.
Colapinto is then handcuffed and put into a patrol car.
He is charged with luring/enticing a child by various means, and is currently in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
