Texas man sentenced for child sexual exploitation offenses against Central Valley victims

FRESNO, Calif. -Thomas Henry Lopez, 51, of Spring, Texas, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff to 30 years in prison for two counts of sexual exploitation of children, one count of distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and one count of transfer of obscene material to a minor, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

Lopez was also ordered to serve a life term of supervised release during which he will be required to register as a sex offender and his access to computers, cellphones, and the internet will be restricted. Lopez was also ordered to pay $24,400 in financial assessments.

"Although the defendant lived an outwardly respectable life, he secretly exploited vulnerable minors through an online platform," U.S. Attorney Grant said. "The offenses for which he pleaded guilty represent only two of many victims of his disgusting conduct. This sentence will safeguard the public and prevent the defendant from harming other victims. Our office remains committed to protecting children and to holding fully accountable anyone who sexually exploits children."

On July 13, 2026, Lopez pleaded guilty to the charged offenses without a plea agreement.

According to court documents, between June and July 2024, Lopez contacted minors in the Central Valley through TikTok and continued to communicate with them through text messages and the encrypted application JusTalk. Posing as a 12-year-old boy from Texas, he persuaded the victims to create and send illicit videos and images. During these communications, Lopez also sent the victims sexually explicit images of himself and others. Investigators identified Lopez through internet connections used at his home and workplace, where he was employed at a multinational corporation as their principal wells engineer. On Sept. 3, 2024, Lopez was arrested as he was leaving for a work trip to Singapore. Multiple electronic devices were seized during a search of his residence.

"Thomas Lopez befriended and ultimately exploited vulnerable children who had no idea he was not the 12-year-old he claimed to be. We are grateful to the Kingsburg Pollice department for their professionalism and commend the brave survivors and their families for trusting us to conduct a thorough investigation to hold Lopez accountable for his depraved crime," said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Brian Tosh. "This case is an example of the collaborative work the FBI is doing to identify and investigate predators who use the anonymity of online communication to exploit our nation's children. Justice will find you, always."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, principally the Kingsburg, California Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.