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Texas man indicted for exploiting California minors on social media

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Texas man indicted for exploiting California minors on social media


A Texas man was indicted on federal charges last week for allegedly exploiting two California minors through social media, according to the United States Department of Justice.

Thomas Henry Lopez, 49, of Spring, faces two counts of sexual exploitation of children, one count of distributing child pornography, and one count of transferring obscene material to a minor.

According to court documents, Lopez contacted two California minors via TikTok between June and July 2024, then moved communications to text messages and the encrypted app JusTalk. Posing as a 12-year-old boy, Lopez allegedly solicited sexually explicit images from the victims and sent them pornographic content.

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Investigators traced Lopez’s internet activity to his home and workplace, where he served as principal wells engineer for an oil and gas company. FBI agents arrested Lopez on Sept. 3 at Houston’s airport as he prepared to depart for a work trip to Singapore.

The parents of both the children have been interviewed and advised of the crime and arrest.

The case, investigated by the FBI and the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation.

If convicted, Lopez faces a minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison for the sexual exploitation charges. The distribution charge carries a five-year minimum and up to 20 years, while the obscene material charge has a maximum 10-year sentence. Each count also includes potential fines up to $250,000.

Lopez is scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate judge in Houston on Sept. 13.

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Dallas, TX

Downtown Dallas Inc. backs relocating aging City Hall, redevelopment of site

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Downtown Dallas Inc. backs relocating aging City Hall, redevelopment of site


Downtown Dallas Inc. announced Friday that it backs the potential relocation of City Hall and redevelopment of that site, adding support to a high-stakes decision about the city’s urban core.

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“DDI believes this is a generational opportunity to modernize and elevate how Dallas delivers public services,” said its president and CEO, Jennifer Scripps. “But we must be equally clear: Any future City Hall belongs within the highway loop in downtown.”

She said the current building “is no longer serving its intended purpose,” adding that key government functions are “inefficient — truly stymied in that space.”

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Jennifer Scripps, president and CEO of Downtown Dallas Inc., delivers opening comments...

Jennifer Scripps, president and CEO of Downtown Dallas Inc., delivers opening comments during the group’s annual meeting at the Fairmont Dallas on Feb. 27, 2026.

Steve Hamm

DDI, a nonprofit, promotes downtown Dallas, and its board voted unanimously this week to back the course outlined by the City Council’s Finance Committee, Scripps said at the group’s annual meeting at the Fairmont Dallas.

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That committee this week asked city staff to shift 311, 911 and emergency operations to a new government center as soon as possible, explore moving all other functions and pursue redevelopment options for the current site at 1500 Marilla St.

Downtown business interests favor redevelopment of the property for mixed-use projects and other ideas, while preservationists have called for protecting the I.M. Pei-designed building.

Last year, City Council members directed City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert to assess the building’s condition. She engaged the nonprofit Dallas Economic Development Corp. to lead the review.

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Vehicles pass along Young St. overlooking Dallas City hall  on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in...

The EDC’s report, released last week, found that fully repairing and modernizing City Hall could cost taxpayers more than $1 billion over 20 years.

DDI also is urging city leaders to pursue a redevelopment strategy for the existing site that builds on major public investments already underway downtown, including:

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  • The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
  • The Black Academy of Arts and Letters
  • Dallas College
  • Memorial Auditorium, the planned future home of the Dallas Wings

Scripps said downtown offers assets that could be repurposed to consolidate city functions and improve public access.

She also said the organization hopes the Mavericks basketball team and Stars hockey team remain in or near downtown, “where they belong.”

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Miami, FL

North Miami Beach 6-year-old who was allegedly severely abused dies: Family

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North Miami Beach 6-year-old who was allegedly severely abused dies: Family


A 6-year-old boy with autism who police said was severely abused by his mother’s boyfriend in North Miami Beach has died after spending weeks in the hospital, family members said.

The boy, Mason, had been hospitalized in critical condition last month, but his grandmother told NBC6 on Friday that he’d been taken off a ventilator and passed away.

Police had responded to a home in the 1400 block of Northeast 179th Street for a report of a child in cardiac arrest.

In body camera footage released by police, Mason was seen wrapped in a blanket and had no detectable pulse.

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North Miami Beach Police, Family Photo

North Miami Beach Police, Family Photo

Mason

Mason was given CPR until Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews arrived and regained a pulse, and he was taken to Jackson North Hospital in critical condition.

Doctors reported internal bleeding in the brain, lacerations to the liver and kidney, a broken arm, and bruises covering his entire body.

His mother’s boyfriend, 34-year-old Daniel Eduardo Romero, was accused of severely abusing the boy, and was later arrested on charges including aggravated child abuse causing great bodily harm involving torture, child neglect causing great bodily harm, and tampering with a victim.

According to an arrest report, Romero gave conflicting stories about how Mason was injured, first claiming he was teaching the boy how to ride a bicycle when he fell, then changing his story and claiming they were using a wagon.

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Romero said the boy didn’t appear to be seriously injured and medical care was not sought but he woke up lethargic the next day and progressively weakened and when he became unresponsive they called 911, the report said.

Daniel Eduardo Romero

Miami-Dade Corrections

Miami-Dade Corrections

Daniel Eduardo Romero

The boy’s mother, 32-year-old Cynthia Hernandez, was later arrested on charges including child neglect, failure to report child neglect and providing a false statement to law enforcement, officials said.

Police had previously said Hernandez was cooperating with the investigation and told officers Romero would become frustrated with Mason because of his neurodevelopmental condition. Records also show Romero has two prior convictions for domestic violence.

In the arrest report, Hernandez told detectives that Romero had a short temper and anger problems.

Hernandez’s attorney criticized her arrest, saying she was also a victim of domestic violence at the hands of Romero.

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Her mother also said Hernandez was a domestic violence victim.

Romero pleaded not guilty and is being held without bond while he awaits trial. It’s unknown whether he’ll face new charges following Mason’s death.



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Atlanta, GA

Soccer Frenzy: Cities, Fans, and What to Know | Futbol HQ

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Soccer Frenzy: Cities, Fans, and What to Know | Futbol HQ


With the World Cup just months away, host cities ramp up preparations for a global surge of fans. Philadelphia takes center stage as the World Cup draws closer. From major fan event changes and security planning to base camps and short-term rentals, here’s what to know ahead of the matches.



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