South
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.
The Dallas Wings once again have the first overall pick after winning the 2026 Draft Lottery on Sunday evening. The 2026 WNBA Draft isn’t scheduled until Monday, April 13th, so there is a lot of time for the Wings to evaluate the draft class, but also explore other options for the pick.
Could the Dallas Wings explore trading the first overall pick? It’s certainly not out of the question, and Wings GM Curt Miller is at least open to the idea.
Drake Keeler of IX Sports reported that Wings GM Curt Miller said he he “already received more calls about potential trades for the #1 pick in the upcoming draft than he did in the lead-up to the 2025 draft.” But a lot of that is due to the talent available at the top of the draft.
“The Cailtin Clark draft, there was not going to be a trade, Paige [Bueckers] was not going to be traded, but it will be interesting, and it makes our job fun to listen to those phone calls that come in for the #1 pick. And we’ll do what’s best for our franchise.” Miller said.
Miller is saying that every team knew that they wouldn’t have traded the Paige Bueckers pick last year, and the Indiana Fever wouldn’t have traded the Caitlin Clark pick. Those were generational superstars from the moment they entered college, and the star power and popularity alone would’ve made it hard to trade those picks. The Indiana Fever are the most popular team in the WNBA because of Clark, and no team saw more social media growth this year than the Wings because of Bueckers.
Curt Miller said he’s already received more calls about potential trades for the #1 pick in the upcoming draft than he did in the leadup to the 2025 draft.
— Drake (@DrakeKeeler) November 24, 2025
READ MORE: Dallas Wings win WNBA Draft lottery, will pick No. 1 for second straight year
As of now, there is no player that is a lock to go first overall, but there are plenty of players who could be considered, including Lauren Betts, Awa Fam, Azzi Fudd, Ta’Niya Latson, and Olivia Miles. If it stays like that all year, and unless the Wings fall in love with a particular player, trading down a few spots may be a great opportunity to gain future draft capital.
If they enter the draft saying “We’d be happy with any of these three players,” they should trade back to the third pick, if the opportunity presents itself and the capital makes sense.
They could also use the pick to trade for a readymade star. A lot of players around the WNBA are entering free agency this offseason, which Miller says having Bueckers and the first pick will be a huge draw in free agency, but the Wings can also be aggressive in trades because of the pick.
READ MORE: Paige Bueckers praised by Cooper Flagg after support at recent Mavericks games
Stick with WingsGameday for more FREE coverage of the Dallas Wings throughout the offseason.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A woman was injured in a shooting in Augusta Sunday night, according to authorities.
The shooting happened on the 2700 block of Brenda Court around 9:34 p.m. Sunday, according to Richmond County deputies.
Deputies say while on scene, they learned two woman were involved in a verbal altercation that turned physical.
During the physical altercation, a gun was pulled out with one of the females, shooting the other at least one time, according to deputies.
The sheriff’s office says the investigation is ongoing.
This isn’t the only shooting that happened in Augusta over the weekend.
On Friday night, 21-year-old Heavaughn Brooks was killed in a shooting on the 1300 block of 10th Street.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Washington, D.C
More Trouble In D.C. At The BBC: Washington News Editor Exits After Complaints Over Management Style
EXCLUSIVE: The BBC News channel’s Washington D.C.-based executive producer has left abruptly after complaints were made about the way he spoke to colleagues in the newsroom.
Deadline understands that concerns were raised about Adam Levy‘s management style, with a recent incident proving to be the final straw. Two sources alleged that he spoke to a young producer in a way that was considered to be aggressive after a mistake was made during a news shift.
Levy, who left earlier this month, declined to comment when contacted by Deadline. A BBC spokesman said the broadcaster does not comment on individual HR matters.
Levy’s swift exit comes at a tumultuous time for the BBC’s Washington bureau, with the UK broadcaster facing a $1B lawsuit from Donald Trump after a bungled Panorama edit of the U.S. president’s January 6 speech. Although the mistake was not made by U.S.-based journalists, they are at the frontline of now tense relations with the White House.
Paul Royall, the executive news editor of the BBC News channel, visited Washington this month to help steady the ship. His trip was planned before Levy’s exit, but sources noted that Royall was in the city in an effort to boost morale.
Levy was appointed as the BBC News channel’s news editor and executive producer in March 2023, playing a key role in building live programming out of Washington. Levy previously worked at CNN, where he was a producer on shows including State of the Union with Jake Tapper.
Sources close to Levy pointed to his career before the BBC as a team player without issue. These people said he was known for his passion and diligence in tough circumstances. One former CNN colleague said Levy was a respected colleague at the network, working with people at every level of the newsroom.
Levy’s exit comes at a time when the BBC is cracking down on alleged abuses of power following a workplace culture review earlier this year. In September, BBC chair Samir Shah said “very serious disciplinary actions, including dismissals,” have taken place since the review.
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