Carlos Francisco Lopez, Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, New York 2019

Buffalo, N.Y. - A registered sex offender with a history of preying on minors has pleaded guilty to enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Carlos Francisco Lopez, 30, of Los Angeles, California, entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara on June 11, 2026, in Buffalo, New York.

Lopez faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison for his crimes. According to prosecutors, Lopez began communicating with a 15-year-old girl on the internet application Kik in January 2018. The two discussed the girl running away from home and having sex, and Lopez made plans for the girl to travel to California, where he was living at the time.

An undercover law enforcement officer posed as the girl and continued to communicate with Lopez, making plans for the girl to travel to California. Lopez was arrested after the officer sent a message that the bus had arrived and he ordered an Uber.

Lopez was convicted of sexual offenses against minor children in California in 2011 and 2012. He is a registered sex offender and was released from prison in 2016. He is currently an active parolee.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cheektowaga Police Department, and the City of Tonawanda Police Department.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 7, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Arcara.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. said, "Lopez's actions demonstrate a clear and present danger to the public, particularly to vulnerable children. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect our communities from predators like Lopez."

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/registered-sex-offender-pleads-guilty-entice-minor-online