CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — An 83-year-old former substitute teacher is facing lewd and lascivious charges after a sheriff’s office investigation.

Wolfgang Sprenger of Dunnellon was arrested Thursday.

According to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, Hernando Elementary School staff reported in January that a substitute teacher, identified as Sprenger, may have inappropriately touched some students. 

The Citrus County School Board immediately removed Sprenger from his position as a substitute teacher as CCSO began its investigation into these allegations.

A detective was able to identify multiple juvenile victims, as well as several juveniles who had witnessed these acts. 

Authorities said all the victims stated that Sprenger had touched them inappropriately. Detectives also obtained evidence which supported the victims’ statements.

Sprenger is facing two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation on a child less than 12, four counts of lewd and lascivious conduct, and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a child.

He was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility, where he is being held without a bond per the warrant.

“This case exposes how a predator can and will work themselves into a position of trust to gain access to children,” said Citrus Sheriff Mike Prendergast. “Sprenger violated the trust of the children he was supposed to teach and the trust our community placed in him. 

“A classroom is supposed to be a nurturing and safe environment, not a playground for a predator like Sprenger.”

Sprenger began substitute teaching in Citrus County on Oct. 12, 2022 and was relieved of his responsibilities on Jan. 31.

“We understand this news will be unsettling for our students, families, and staff,” said Citrus County Superintendent Sam Himmel. “The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority, and we take any allegation of misconduct very seriously.”