MANSFIELD, CT. (THECOUNT) — An online vigilante group identifying itself as, Pop Squad, confronted a teacher at E.O. Smith High School in Mansfield, CT, on video, accusing him of arriving there in an attempt to meet a 14-year-old boy.
Daniel Bochicchio, 40, who resides in Vernon, was put on paid administrative from his job at E.O. Smith High School Monday after school officials caught wind of the vigilante group video featuring the school staff member.
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At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Monday, Bochicchio drove to Bristol, where the founder of Pop Squad, who goes by the name “Incognito,” confronted him, the video shows.
The group that captured Bochicchio on camera, Pop Squad, describes itself as a “movement that protects our innocent children from internet predators” on its website, where members of the organization post videos of people they say are sexual predators lured to public meeting places. source
According to a video posted by Pop Squad identifying Bochicchio as #106, he exchanged messages with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old boy.
“I’m here to have a conversation with you about you coming to meet a 14-year-old boy after these chat logs that you just had,” Incognito can be heard informing Bochicchio.
Bochicchio, has taught at E.O. Smith High School for 17 years, School Superintendent Jill Krieger said Thursday.
“Earlier today, numerous sources contacted E.O. Smith High School regarding a concern over possible inappropriate behavior of a staff member,” Krieger wrote in the memo. “Both the state police and the Department of Children and Families were immediately contacted… We are cooperating fully with the authorities on this investigation… Please know that the safety of our students is always our top priority.”
Bristol police could not be reached for comment on whether or not Bochicchio is under investigation.
Anyone with information on the case may call police at 911.
This is a developing story.