Mark Pierotti was confronted by a member of an online group which baits and attempts to identify people inappropriately communicating with youth online. (South Island Predator Publishing)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

disciplinary action

Former Lantzville principal issued 15 year ban after vigilante sting

Aug 8, 2023 | 10:36 AM

NANAIMO — Trying to pick up who he thought was a 15-year-old boy was likely a career-killer for the then-principal of Aspengrove School in Lantzville.

A Consent Resolution Agreement published on Tuesday, Aug. 8 showed Mark Louis Pierotti will not be granted certification to work in a kindergarten to grade 12 setting in the province for 15 years following a sting published on Facebook last August.

A series of text messages via the online dating app Grindr between Pierotti and whom he thought was a 15-year-old boy were posted to the Facebook group South Island Predator Publishing and admitted as fact by Pierotti.

The person behind the account portraying the 15-year-old boy was instead a representative of the social media group.

An agreement signed between the BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation and Pierotti showed he initiated communication with the youth by stating “Hello there sexy” and asked the boy to come over for a drink.

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Pierotti, listed as 60-years-old on his dating profile, displayed reservations when he was told the recipient was just 15.

The next day Pierotti told the boy he had been “crazy horned up” since another guy cancelled to meet up with him the night before.

Both Pierotti and the decoy continued to exchange messages with Pierotti repeatedly showing concern about the boy’s age.

“So the age of consent is 16 in bc (sic). Just need to know you are 16 or older,” Pierotti said. The boy told him he would be 16 “in like 4 months.”

The pair eventually agreed to a meet up with Pierotti telling the youth “I’m guessing u have hooked up w[ith] older guys before.”

Pierotti was confronted in his vehicle by a member of the social media group. He appeared incensed and drove off.

Following this incident coming to light, Pierotti was terminated from Aspengrove School on Aug. 27.

The 15-year ban applied to Pierotti was the result of his continued messaging of the youth, even after he was aware they were underage.

“Pierotti continued to send messages, some with sexual content, and also arranged to meet the youth,” the commissioner’s report read. “Pierotti was aware oft he age of consent and that sexual activity with a 15-year-old would be criminal in nature.”

The commissioner also said Pierotti’s conduct “undermines the public’s confidence in the education system.

Criminal charges have not been laid against Pierotti.

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