A pilot has been accused of compensating families for permission to interact with their children while operating a child exploitation network. Sergio Antonio Lopes, 60, was apprehended on a Latam Airlines aircraft just before departure at Congonhas Airport in southern Sao Paulo. Authorities detained Lopes at the airport due to his frequent travels, making it challenging to locate him at his residence in Guararema, Sao Paulo state.
Allegations indicate that Lopes, who recently returned from his honeymoon, is suspected of orchestrating a structured scheme involved in the sexual abuse of minors for over eight years. He purportedly utilized fraudulent identification to take underage individuals to motels for abusive activities.
The investigation unveiled that Lopes paid for photographs and videos of victims, compensating families with financial support for various expenses. Police reported that payments typically ranged from BRL 30 to BRL 100. Law enforcement officials highlighted that Lopes maintained physical contact with the victims during the abuse.
In a related operation, Denise Moreno, a 55-year-old grandmother, was arrested for allegedly exchanging her three granddaughters, aged 10, 12, and 14, for monetary gain with the pilot. Another woman, the mother of a victim, was also detained for possession and distribution of child exploitation material involving her daughter.
The ongoing probe, initiated in October 2025, has identified at least 10 victims in Sao Paulo, with indications of potential victims in other Brazilian states. The arrests were part of Operation ‘Fasten Your Seatbelts,’ focusing on offenses like sexual exploitation, prostitution, and child abuse material production and distribution.
Latam Airlines Brasil confirmed the initiation of an internal inquiry and collaboration with authorities, condemning any illicit behavior. The airline assured that the scheduled flight operated as planned despite Lopes’ arrest.
