B.C. principal banned for explicit messages to someone he thought was 15

The former principal of a private school in Lantzville near Nanaimo has received a 15-year teaching ban after sending sexually explicit messages via a dating app to someone he believed to be under the age of consent.

According to a notice from the BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation, Mark Louis Pierotti was exchanging Grindr messages in August 2022 with someone who told him he was 15 years old.

In fact, the individual behind the profile was an adult posing as a young male who claims to have been using the app to ‘”catch” sexual predators.

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“After being told that the youth was 15 years old, Pierotti continued to send messages, some with sexual content, and also arranged to meet the youth,” the notice said.

“Pierotti was aware of the age of consent and that sexual activity with a 15-year-old would be criminal in nature.”

After making plans to meet in person, the notice says the man approached Pierotti in his car while recording on his phone. He then posted the recording and messages on Facebook.

The school terminated Pierotti’s employment Aug. 27, 2022.

Pierotti relinquished his independent school teaching certificate in September 2022 and will not be permitted to teach in any classes with students in kindergarten through grade 12 until the ban is lifted.