NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A Queens man has been indicted on traveling across a state line with intent to commit aggravated sexual abuse of a child, sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography charges -- and it's believed there are victims officials don't know about, according to the FBI's New York office.
Orlando Lopez, 54, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years and up to life in prison for the transportation charge, and a minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison on each of the child exploitation charges.
According to the indictment and other court filings, for over a decade, Lopez repeatedly sexually abused more than a dozen children, many of whom lived near his Jamaica residence.
Between approximately May 2010 and June 2018, Lopez produced thousands of explicit photos and videos of one female child who was two years-old when the abuse began. Law enforcement also recovered thousands of other photos and videos from Lopez's residence depicting him engaging in sexual activity with children. In July 2018, Lopez transported one seven-year-old girl across state lines with the intent to sexually abuse her. In order to gain access to his victims, Lopez attempted to befriend their parents.
"The conduct alleged here is horrendous," FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney said. "Mr. Lopez allegedly used friendships with his victims' parents as a means to access children he wouldn't generally have contact with, which leads us to believe there are more victims out there. Readers should be stunned into action by an investigation like this," "We are asking anyone who has had any contact with Mr. Lopez at any point to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. Please take a moment to make this call. The ages and numbers of victims are another warning that we must do more as a society to protect our children."
United States Attorney Richard Donoghue said, "As alleged, for years Lopez horribly victimized numerous young children, some of whom we are still endeavoring to identify," stated . "In addition to his unthinkable abuse of these young children – many of them infants – Lopez compounded his atrocities by producing thousands of photos and videos of his crime and we pledge to prosecute him to the fullest extent."
Queens DA Melinda Katz said, "The defendant charged in this Federal indictment is alleged to have violated numerous children for years – and additionally recorded and took still photos of these alleged vile acts. When I was a member of the Assembly, I authored legislation to hold pedophiles accountable for sexually abusing children. Child predators will be held accountable and prosecuted as we work with our law enforcement partners to end the abuse of innocent children."
