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Texas man indicted for exploiting California minors on social media

Published

1 year ago

September 20, 2024

Texas man indicted for exploiting California minors on social media

HOUSTON, Texas — 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

Dallas-Fort Worth might see some sunshine on Sunday. Will the coming week be cloudy?

Published

39 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Dallas-Fort Worth might see some sunshine on Sunday. Will the coming week be cloudy?

After a gloomy Saturday, cold temperatures moved through Dallas-Fort Worth through the evening, though the area is expected to see some sunshine on Sunday.

Temperatures are forecast to reach a high near 43 on Sunday with early morning wind chills in the 20s or lower for parts of North Texas, according to the National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office.

Nighttime temperatures are likely to drop to a below-freezing 28, with wind gusts calming down in the evening after reaching as high as 30 mph during the day.

The coming week is expected to be somewhat sunny, barring some cloud cover during the night.

Starting Tuesday, the weather is supposed to get warmer with daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s.

The latest Dallas weather forecast from KXAS-TV (NBC5):

SUNDAY (HANUKKAH BEGINS): Partly sunny, breezy and much colder. High: 44. Wind: N 10-20 mph.

MONDAY: Mostly sunny and chilly. Low: 28. High: 53. Wind: SE 5-10 mph.

TUESDAY: Mixture of sun and clouds, mild. Low: 43. High: 63. Wind: S 10-15 mph.

WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny and warmer. Low: 53. High: 71. Wind: S 10-20 mph.

THURSDAY: Plenty of sunshine, warm. Low: 56. High: 71. Wind: N 5-10 mph.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny and pleasant. Low: 47. High: 67. Wind: SE 5-10 mph.

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Miami, FL

Charging e-bike suspected in destructive Miami house fire

Published

45 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Charging e-bike suspected in destructive Miami house fire

MIAMI — The smell of blackened, burned rubble still lingers inside the house where an early-morning fire left a family devastated. Outside, debris from the firefight remains scattered around the property.

The fire tore through a duplex near the 1800 block of Northwest 53rd Street Saturday morning around 10:30 a.m., forcing everyone inside to flee.

The blaze is believed to have been caused by an e-bike, though officials say the exact cause is still under investigation.

“With every step,” Josue Paz said as he walked through the damage, he faces heartbreak and devastation.

What was once his family’s living room is now reduced to piles of ash and rubble.

Paz said he was inside the home when an e-bike charging in the house suddenly caught fire.

“Yep, that’s part of the bike. Right there, right there,” he said, pointing to debris.

“I couldn’t really process anything and it just happened,” Paz said.

Paz rushed to get his family out before the flames spread.

“My first thought was getting everybody out of the house. I was trying to call everybody,” he said. “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s get out.”

Fire officials say lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and e-scooters have been linked to a growing number of fast-moving fires nationwide. Miami Fire Rescue is still working to determine the exact cause of this fire.

Despite losing everything, Paz said surviving the fire is what matters most.

“I’m glad that I got my neighbors out, I got my family out,” he said.

Six people escaped the fire, along with a dog. They are staying with loved ones as the fire department continues to work to pinpoint how the fire started.

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Atlanta, GA

Starters Braves Have on Their Radar, Top Prospects in Play

Published

1 hour ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Starters Braves Have on Their Radar, Top Prospects in Play

The Atlanta Braves have locked down two free agents. One bolstered the bullpen while the other diversified their options on the offense. Now, from what we’re hearing, the attention has turned to fortifying the rotation.

We are gaining an idea of who the Braves are targeting on the starting pitching market. Framber Valdez and Michael King appear to be the top two free-agent options they’re taking a look at, per source. The goal would be to land one of the two. How far along any potential talks are or if they’re currently talking at all is unclear. We just know now that these two are preferred targets.

Previous reports said that the Mets and Giants had previously chatted with Valdez. King is on the radar of the Tigers and Cubs. There are contenders in play for these same guys.

Signing a free agent is their plan A for acquiring starting pitching depth. What we are hearing confirms the willingness to cough up a draft pick to make a big signing. Both have a qualifying offer attached to them.

That being said, they are willing to go out on the trade market if needed and in a specific circumstance. Plan B is to make a deal for Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta.

The 2025 All-Star has been rumored to be a trade candidate since the start of the offseason. What we are hearing lines up with previous speculation as to the type of moves the Braves could make. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden suggested the Braves make a move for Peralta, and part of that suggestion included a potential trade piece that would likely be dealt in this scenario.

The Brewers would likely want to make the centerpiece of the return the Braves’ No. 2 prospect, JR Ritchie. However, the Braves would likely prefer to hang onto Ritchie. They see him as a key piece of their future. They would likely prefer to make the centerpiece of the deal Hurston Waldrep, who showed significant promise once she was called up toward the end of last season.

Another player would likely be dealt along with one of the two names. The Braves would like to know whether an extension would be in play. They wouldn’t want to make the move for strictly a rental.

However, the Brewers want to get a trade done during the offseason. If he’s on the roster during the regular season, it would put them in a bind. They don’t see him as someone they’ll be able to keep around, but if they’re contending, they can’t trade him at the deadline. He would have to stick around for a push, and then he would walk.

Meanwhile, the Braves are pushing to have a top-five payroll in the league for next season. That puts them in the position to take on one of the two possible free-agent signings or take on a contract extension in a potential trade.