A Mexican national has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to entice a minor in Texas.
Cayetano Lopez, 50, of Mexico, was sentenced today in US District Court in El Paso after pleading guilty to one count of enticement of a minor. Lopez’s guilty plea admitted that in July 2020, he engaged in sexually explicit communications with a female he believed to be 13 years old, attempting to entice her into having unlawful sexual intercourse.
Lopez was arrested on July 19, 2020, after he arrived at a prearranged meeting with the minor, who turned out to be an undercover agent. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest.
“Online enticement of children has increased 97.5% amid the pandemic,” said US Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “In response, the US Attorney’s Office, along with our law enforcement partners, has redoubled our efforts to prosecute these very serious cases and keep our children safe while using the internet.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Downey praised the work of FBI El Paso Violent Crimes Against Children personnel, saying “The FBI remains dedicated in the fight to protect our nation’s future by ensuring our children can prosper where individuals like Lopez do not threaten their welfare.”
Lopez’s case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006. The FBI investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Winters prosecuting the case.
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, online enticement of children has become a growing concern, with a 97.5% increase in cases amid the pandemic. The US Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners have redoubled their efforts to keep children safe online.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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