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Kingsburg PD aids FBI in online predator case – Mid Valley Times

Published

2 years ago

September 20, 2024

Kingsburg PD aids FBI in online predator case – Mid Valley Times

FRESNO – The Kingsburg Police Department was recently involved in a case with the FBI and Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to help uncover details about Thomas Henry Lopez, who has been charged with sexting two minors in Kingsburg.

A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment on Sept. 12, charging Thomas Henry Lopez, 49, of Spring, Texas, with two counts of sexual exploitation of children, one count of distribution of a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and one count of transfer of obscene material to a minor, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Lopez purported to be a 12-year-old male from Texas and requested that the victims create and then send to him still and video images of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct. While communicating with the victims, Lopez sent them images of adults and minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct as well as images of himself masturbating.

Lopez’s case was investigated by the FBI and the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with major involvement from the Kingsburg Police Department (KPD). According to court documents, between June 2024 and July 2024, Lopez contacted two minors in California through TikTok and then communicated with them through text messages and the encrypted application JusTalk.

“One of the parents found some of the images and they notified us. So that’s when we started our investigation,” Lieutenant Jose Salinas from KPD said.

Investigators were able to identify Lopez by determining that he was using internet connections at his residence and at his Houston workplace, where he was the principal wells engineer for an oil and gas company when communicating with the victims. The FBI assisted the investigation by getting more information from the apps that Lopez was using to contact the victims.

Salinas explained that most of the investigation was conducted by officers with KPD since the victims were in Kingsburg. Salinas oversaw the unit that investigated the case and was able to identify two different victims in Kingsburg.

“They (the FBI) just assisted us because they have the means of helping on these kind of cases, since they cross state lines,” Salinas said.

FBI agents arrested Lopez on Sept. 3, just as he was leaving on a work-related trip to Singapore, and numerous electronic devices were recovered during a search of his residence. He will appear before a federal magistrate judge in Houston, Texas, on Sept. 13.

“They could still change it and bring the case back to California…At this point right now, he was arrested and booked in Houston.” Salinas said.

If convicted, Lopez faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison as well as a fine of up to $250,000 for the counts of sexual exploitation of children and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison; alternatively, he is also facing a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for distribution of a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Gappa. If convicted of the transfer of obscene material to a minor count, Lopez also faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

These guidelines take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education. Anyone who may have any more information on this case can reach out to the number 559-897-2931.

“I’m sure he didn’t do it just to these kids here,” Salinas said. “If there’s any other victims or people that may have been in contact with this guy – get a hold of us.”

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Arkansas

Arkansas Postcard Past: Wynne in 1909 | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

6 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas Postcard Past: Wynne in 1909 | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Wynne, 1909: “This picture is of a passenger depot taken while burning.” Indeed, the depot (seen in our previous feature) went up in smoke, lighting up the night sky and large hotels to the right. Firefighters were able to keep the fire from reaching the hotels.

Send questions or comments to Arkansas Postcard Past, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR 72203

Wynne, 1909: “This picture is of a passenger depot taken while burning.” Indeed, the depot (seen in our previous feature) went up in smoke, lighting up the night sky and large hotels to the right. Firefighters were able to keep the fire from reaching the hotels. Send questions or comments to Arkansas Postcard Past, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR 72203

Ray Hanley

Ray Hanley is a retired health care and IT executive, historian, producer of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s “Postcard Past” feature and author of 20 Arkansas history books.

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Delaware

Delaware’s dangerous heat wave impacts pets. How to keep them safe

Published

28 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

Press Room

Delaware’s dangerous heat wave impacts pets. How to keep them safe

Delaware is in the midst of a heat wave the like of which the First State hasn’t felt since 2011.

With temperatures hitting the 100s and heat index values reaching the 110s, it’s time for people to be careful outside – especially pet owners.

When a heat wave arrives, your pets will need extra attention, too. Dogs and cats can be vulnerable to extreme temperatures, making it important to know the signs of heat-related illness and how to keep them safe during hot weather. Here’s what pet owners should know.

Can heat stoke impact my pet?

When heat waves hit, dogs are also susceptible to heat stress and head strokes, according to the American Kennel Club.

Heat stress: Heat stress in dogs occurs when a dog’s resting temperature hits 104 degrees. The signs and symptoms of heat stress include a dog looking for shade, limiting its movements, choosing to sit or lie down, panting, vomiting and excessive saliva.
Heat stroke: This condition occurs when your dog’s resting body temperature exceeds 106 degrees. The symptoms include the dog acting confused; excessive drooling and thickening saliva; gums being bright red, blue or purple; refusing to drink water; losing consciousness; or having seizures. Immediate veterinary attention is required.

If your pet shows signs of heat stress, act quickly to help cool them down. The American Kennel Club recommends moving your dog to a shaded area, placing ice packs under its front legs and on its chest, and pouring cool water over its head and body. Offer fresh water to drink and, if available, have your dog lie or stand on a cooling mat to help lower its body temperature.

When should I walk my dog in a heat wave?

The first thing you should do is be aware of the type of dog you have. Overweight dogs and short-nosed dog breeds have a high risk of problems related to heat, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

When exercising, do the following:

Do not walk, run or hike during the hottest part of the day or on particularly hot days.
Take frequent breaks when exercising.
Bring water for you and your pet.
Avoid asphalt or other hot surfaces that can burn your pet’s paws. You can also use booties to cover its paws during walks.

How can I protect my pet around the house?

Even in your house, you pet could be battling the heat.

The AVMA and ASPCA offers these suggestions:

Provide different temperature zones within your house for your pet’s comfort.
Leave your pets at home if possible when you need to go out and about.
Never leave a pet in the car, even in the shade or with windows cracked. Cars can overheat quickly to deadly temperatures, even when the weather isn’t severe.
Make sure your pets have unlimited access to fresh water.Keep your pet free of parasites that are more common during warm weather, such as fleas, ticks and heartworms.
Make sure all unscreened windows are closed and any screens are tightly secured.
Talk to your vet or groomer about a summer haircut, but don’t shave your dog’s hair.

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Florida

Cocaine, guns reported found after gas station surveillance in Florida

Published

30 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

Press Room

Cocaine, guns reported found after gas station surveillance in Florida

A 37-year-old man was jailed June 29 after Port St. Lucie Police reported finding nearly 5 ounces of cocaine, other drugs and firearms at his home, according to an affidavit.

Wallick Cooper, of the 800 block of Southwest Monica Street in Port St. Lucie, was arrested on charges including a single count of cocaine trafficking; two counts of possession of controlled substance without prescription; and three counts possession of firearm or ammunition by a felon.

Police conducting surveillance June 25 at a gas station in the 300 block of Southwest Port St. Lucie Boulevard reported a Mercedes-Benz arrived and backed in. Detectives reported seeing a suspected drug transaction between the driver and a man who approached the driver’s window.

Investigators stopped the Mercedes after it left, alleging the window tint was illegal. Cooper, the only occupant, reportedly “immediately began lying about where he was coming from and where he was heading,” an affidavit states.

He let police search the vehicle. They found no drugs but turned up about $1,000 they suspected came from drug sales, though Cooper “smirked and denied accusations,” the affidavit states.

Cooper was released from the scene.

Police told his probation officer about the encounter, and the probation officer on June 29 reported finding suspected drugs in Cooper’s home.

Ultimately, police got a search warrant, and they reported finding about 4.92 ounces of cocaine; about 12.9 ounces of marijuana; three firearms; and a small amount of pills.

Cooper has a medical marijuana card, but hadn’t gotten pot since February, according to police. Police reported the recovered marijuana wasn’t packaged “consistent with legally possessed marijuana.”

Cooper was held July 1 in the St. Lucie County Jail on no bond, a jail official said.

Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.

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