A Florida youth worker pleaded not guilty last week to nearly 30 charges of sexual abuse and assault, according to Osceola County court records. A local sheriff called Daniel R. Lamppin a “monster” for repeatedly raping minors.
He has been charged with 24 counts of sexual battery by a custodian, two counts of sexual battery, two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior, and one count of child abuse, court records report.
Lamppin allegedly had access to children as a volunteer “youth pastor” at Connection Church in Kissimmee, Florida, the Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez said in a press conference. He also accessed kids through his job at a local Chick-fil-A.
Lopez described 40-year-old Lamppin as a “monster” in the press conference.
However, in a statement to several local media publications, the non-denominational church disputed his involvement with the organization, saying the accused was only a member, not a pastor.
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“For clarity, Daniel Lamppin is not a volunteer youth pastor at the Connection Church,” the church wrote. “We want to assure our congregation and the broader community that The Connection Church is fully cooperating with all authorities involved in this process and have already spoken to the lead investigator on this case.”
The church asked for prayers “for those directly impacted, for our church leadership, and for the truth to prevail.”
The Roys Report (TRR) reached out to Connection Church for more clarity. “Yes, he is a member of our church,” responded Thomas Todd, the church’s executive pastor. “I have been in my position since 2008, and he has not volunteered or worked with our youth or kids that entire time.”
In May, the Florida Department of Children and Families stated to Channel 9 that Lamppin had not been a licensed foster parent since 2018.
Additionally, a Chick-fil-A employee told the Miami Herald that Lamppin no longer works at the restaurant but declined to comment further.
Lamppin allegedly took advantage of foster kids
Lopez said the investigation into Lamppin began in November 2024 when law enforcement learned that Lamppin allegedly abused two foster children under his care.
In 2017, Lamppin started watching a six-year-old foster girl. He then reportedly abused her until she was 8, Lopez said. Lamppin sexually abused her three times and physically assaulted her once, the sheriff noted.
The assaults began about eight months after the victim moved in with the Lamppin family, according to an arrest warrant. During one of the alleged assaults, Lamppin told the victim to “be quiet” before he touched her genitals.
In another instance, Lamppin kissed her on the mouth in front of his biological children.
While investigating this case, police discovered another alleged victim. The second alleged victim, who is now an adult, said Lamppin started abusing her at age 16 while she was a foster child under his care.
“The family disclosed he began abusing her within days of moving into the home,” Lopez said. “The sexual abuse started at the age of 16 and continued for years.”
According to an arrest warrant, Lamppin allegedly raped her about twice a month until she was 18. The abuse continued until she was 21 and had moved out of the house.
Earlier this month, a judge denied Lamppin a bond and ordered him to have no contact with any minors, excluding his biological son, according to WESH.
The judge also directed Lamppin not to discuss the case with his wife or family because they may be “potential witnesses.”
Police worried there may be more victims
Lopez said during the press conference that because of Lamppin’s involvement at the church and the fast-food restaurant, there may be additional revelations about the case.
“There’s a concern that there could be additional victims,” Lopez said. “There’s an open investigation, and we definitely want other people to come forward to see if there’s anyone else (so) we can charge some counts against him.”
Lopez called Lamppin’s actions “sad” and sickening.
“You know, I don’t know if he really is religious,” Lopez said. “Maybe he uses this as a cover up to take advantage of people through his alleged mentorship, or whatever you want to call it. But I’m glad that these victims were brave and they came forward, and now he’s going to jail.”
Lopez continued, “Hopefully, more victims come forward and we can add more charges to him so he can no longer hurt anyone.”
Liz Lykins is a correspondent covering religion news for The Roys Report, WORLD Magazine, and other publications.
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2 Responses
Terrible crimes. I hope the victims receive justice.
But I am confused by the reporting. The cops say he was a volunteer youth pastor. The church denies this. Both cant be true, of course.
The headline states he is a youth pastor.
The police may be the inaccurate ones, and it is an ongoing investigation so perhaps they will clarify or amend their findings. If that is the case then I hope TRR will publish a clarification or retraction or whatever is required by good journalism practice.
I think this story needs follow up. I would like to see it.
The cops say the guy was a youth pastor.
The church says he was never one.
Police can be wrong and churches can, of course, be less than truthful.
But the reputation of this congregation is in the balance. I would like to see a clarification or retraction of this headline if indeed it can be shown that the guy wasn’t ever a youth pastor there.
If he was, and the church is misrepresenting that fact, then I hope that gets brought to light as well.