A 60 year old The pilot of a commercial airliner was arrested in handcuffs shortly before takeoff in Brazil after police allege he led a long-running pedophile ring that exploited children and teenagers.
Sergio Antonio Lopez was arrested on Monday on a Latam Airlines flight. (X/@BowTiedMara)According to a report in The Mirror, Sergio Antonio Lopes was arrested on a Latam Airlines flight at Congonhas airport in Brazil on Monday. Authorities said the arrests were made at the airport because Lopes traveled frequently and was difficult to locate at his residence in Guarrema. São Paulo Metropolitan Area.
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The married father of two is said to have returned from his honeymoon with his new wife, a psychologist. Investigators said he was “surprised” when informed of the allegations and insisted he was not suspected of any involvement.
Police believe Lopes led a structured network involved in the sexual abuse and exploitation of minors that operated for at least eight years. He is accused of using false identification documents to drive the children to motels, where the abuse allegedly took place.
Investigators also alleged that Lopes paid for photos and videos of victims. He is accused of providing financial support to the families, including food, medicine, rent and household appliances, in exchange for access to the children.
Police Chief Ivalda Aleixo, head of the State Department of Homicides and Protection of Persons (DHPP), said during a press conference that abuse was committed whenever LPIOs had physical contact with victims.
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Operation ‘Fasten Your Seatbelt’As part of the same operation, a 55-year-old grandmother, Denise Moreno, was arrested on suspicion of “selling” her 3 granddaughters, ages 10, 12 and 14, to the pilot for money. Police allege he also helped arrange meetings between the minors and Lopes at motels in Sao Paulo.
Another woman, the mother of another victim, was arrested in flagrante delicto on suspicion of possessing and sharing child sex abuse material involving her own daughter, investigators said.
The investigation began in October 2025 and has so far identified at least 10 victims across the state of São Paulo, including 3 from the same family. Evidence recovered from Lopez’s phone suggests additional victims may be in other Brazilian states.
According to The Mirror, the arrests were made during Operation Fasten Your Seatbelts, which is investigating offenses including rape of a vulnerable person, sexual exploitation of minors, prostitution, use of false documents and the production, storage and possible distribution of child sexual abuse material. Authorities executed 8 search-and-seizure warrants targeting 4 suspects in São Paulo and Guarrema.
LATAM Airlines Brasil said it has launched an internal investigation, is cooperating with law enforcement and denies any criminal conduct. The airline added that the flight was scheduled to operate Lopes and arrived as planned.
