On Tuesday, a federal judge sentenced former Punta Gorda Middle School physical education teacher and Charlotte High assistant basketball coach Dagoberto Miguel Pena to 60 years in federal prison after he admitted to producing and possessing images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. His sentence also includes lifetime supervised release and a requirement that he register as a sex offender.
Federal Plea and Sentence
U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell handed down the punishment after Pena, 37, pleaded guilty earlier this year, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Prosecutors said the case involved production, receipt, possession and accessing with intent to view child sexual abuse material, and that Assistant U.S. Attorney Yolande G. Viacava led the prosecution.
Investigation and Arrest
The investigation started in April 2025, when a parent discovered inappropriate communications and alerted authorities. The Punta Gorda Police Department arrested Pena on April 29, 2025, on state charges. Detectives said they obtained warrants and then worked with federal partners as more evidence came in.
Evidence and Federal Indictment
Searches of Pena’s phones and online storage uncovered graphic images, text messages and videos involving multiple juveniles, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office reported that a federal grand jury indicted Pena on two counts of production of child pornography, one count of receipt and one count of possession.
Families and School District Response
Victims’ family members have sharply criticized how the school district responded to early complaints. One parent told WINK News she felt her child’s reports were not taken seriously. The Charlotte County School District told the outlet it remains focused on student safety and plans to review its policies to better protect students.
Legal Context
Prosecutors said the case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative that coordinates federal, state and local efforts against online child sexual exploitation, as described in the U.S. Attorney’s Office release. They noted that the lengthy sentence and lifetime supervision are meant to prevent Pena from returning to any position involving minors and to offer some measure of accountability for the victims.
