Fabio Lopez, Child Exploitation, Florida 2024

Fabio Lopez, a 61-year-old Customs and Border Protection officer from Weston, Florida, has been arrested and charged with enticing a 16-year-old girl into engaging in sexual activity and attempting to produce child pornography.

According to a federal complaint, Lopez met the 16-year-old through her mother, whom he had befriended while on duty at Miami International Airport. He allegedly requested the mother's cell phone number and developed a friendship with the family, eventually meeting the 16-year-old daughter.

Over the course of eight months, Lopez allegedly developed a relationship with the child, texting her frequently and eventually fondling her. He also offered to pay her money to let him take pornographic pictures of her.

The child told her mother about Lopez's conduct, who then contacted law enforcement. Lopez was arrested and had his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jared M. Strauss in Fort Lauderdale.

Lopez's pretrial detention hearing is set for Monday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Strauss, and his arraignment is set for March 25.

Lopez's charges include enticing a minor into engaging in sexual activity and attempting to produce child pornography. He is currently being held pending his next court appearance.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/customs-and-border-protection-officer-arrested-child-exploitation