Harahan Man Indicted On Child Pornography Charges

NEW ORLEANS, La. – CHARLES A. LOPEZ (“LOPEZ”), age 27, of Harahan, Louisiana, was indicted on January 16, 2020, for receipt of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser. LOPEZ was arrested by Special Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) on Thursday, January 23, 2020. LOPEZ appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael B. North on Friday, January 24, 2020.

The case against LOPEZ developed as a result of an undercover child exploitation investigation conducted by special agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”). On April 30, 2019, HSI agents and special agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation executed a federal search warrant at LOPEZ’s Harahan home and determined LOPEZ received images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors.

U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, LOPEZ faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five (5) years imprisonment up to twenty (20) years, followed by up to a life term of supervised release, and a $250,000.00 fine.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Supervisor of Financial Crimes Unit, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba.

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