Pilot Sergio Antonio Lopes, 60, was arrested on board a Latam Airlines plane and taken away in handcuffs shortly before take-off in Brazil where he is accused of running a paedophile ring
A pilot is alleged to have paid families for access to their children while running a paedophile ring.
Sergio Antonio Lopes, 60, was arrested on board a Latam Airlines plane and taken away in handcuffs shortly before take-off on Monday at Congonhas Airport in southern Sao Paulo. The married father of two, who had just returned from a honeymoon with his new wife, had been due to fly the aircraft to Rio de Janeiro.
Investigators said the arrest was carried out at the airport because Lopes travelled frequently and was difficult to locate at his home in Guararema, a town in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo state.
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According to police, Lopes’ new wife, a psychologist, was shocked when informed of the accusations. Authorities stressed that she is not suspected of any involvement in the crimes.
Detectives said Lopes is suspected of leading a structured network involved in the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and adolescents that had been operating for at least eight years. He is alleged to have used false identity documents to take minors to motels, where the abuse took place.
And investigators said Lopes paid for images and videos of victims, with payments typically ranging from BRL 30 (£4) to BRL 100 (£14). Police claim he also provided financial assistance to families involved, including purchasing food, medication and household items, paying rent and, in some cases, buying appliances.
During a press conference, police chief Ivalda Aleixo, head of the State Department of Homicides and Protection of Persons (DHPP), said that whenever Lopes had physical contact with the victims, the abuse was carried out.
As part of the same operation, a 55-year-old grandmother, Denise Moreno, was arrested on suspicion of “selling” her three granddaughters, aged 10, 12 and 14, to the pilot in exchange for money. Police said she also helped arrange meetings between the minors and Lopes in motels in Sao Paulo.
A second woman, the mother of another victim, was arrested in flagrante, according to investigators, on suspicion of storing and sharing child sexual abuse material involving her own daughter.
The investigation began in October 2025 and has so far identified at least 10 victims in the state of Sao Paulo, including three from the same family. Investigators said material seized from the pilot’s phone suggests there may be victims in other Brazilian states.
The arrests were carried out during Operation ‘Fasten Your Seatbelts’ which is investigating crimes including rape of a vulnerable person, sexual exploitation of children and adolescents, prostitution, use of false documents, and the production, storage, and possible distribution of child sexual abuse material.
Eight search and seizure warrants were also executed against four suspects in Sao Paulo and Guararema as part of the operation.
Latam Airlines Brasil said it has opened an internal investigation, is cooperating with authorities and repudiates any criminal conduct. The airline confirmed that the flight Lopes had been scheduled to operate departed and arrived as planned.
