News Summary
Hector Leonel Lopez-Nunez, a 20-year-old man, was arrested in South Carolina for kidnapping a 12-year-old girl from Chicago and facing multiple charges, including sexual conduct with a minor. The police warned parents to monitor children’s online activities as the incident follows a broader crackdown on child predators. Lopez-Nunez’s case is part of an ongoing initiative involving multiple law enforcement agencies aiming to combat child exploitation and ensure safety in communities.
Gaston, South Carolina
A 20-year-old man, Hector Leonel Lopez-Nunez, has been arrested on charges of kidnapping a 12-year-old girl from Chicago and bringing her back to South Carolina. He is facing multiple charges, including third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and misrepresenting his identity to law enforcement.
The situation unfolded when the Chicago Police Department notified authorities in Lexington County about the girl on May 11. Lopez-Nunez allegedly met the girl online and promised to take her to another state to meet her father. Once in South Carolina, the girl was located in emergency protective custody at a residence on Stagecoach Road in Gaston. Lopez-Nunez was apprehended shortly after her discovery.
According to reports, Lopez-Nunez touched the girl inappropriately while parked in his truck. When questioned by deputies, he provided an inaccurate date of birth, which led to the additional charge of misrepresenting his identity. Law enforcement officials are reminding parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities to prevent similar situations from occurring.
Online Predator Crackdown
Lopez-Nunez’s arrest is part of a broader initiative targeting child predators. In a separate undercover operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, eight men were arrested for attempting to solicit minors for sexual activities. This collaborative effort included the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, the ICAC Taskforce, SLED’s SWAT Team, and federal agencies such as Homeland Security and the Secret Service.
During the operation, law enforcement personnel posed as children or adults with access to children on social media platforms. Many of the suspects expressed harmful intentions in their online communications and arranged in-person meetings. When these meetings took place, law enforcement made arrests on-site.
Operation Millstone
In a related effort, Mooresville Police conducted “Operation Millstone,” which involved 78 law enforcement personnel from 21 agencies. This operation led to the arrest of eight individuals, ranging in age from 25 to 91 years old. They had used different online platforms to solicit minors for sex, and some had prior convictions involving minors.
Investigators are continuing their efforts to pursue additional charges against suspects still wanted in connection with these operations. Ongoing investigations aim to unveil more individuals involved in similar predatory activities, highlighting the significant threat posed by online predators.
The success of these operations reflects the collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in combating child exploitation and ensuring the safety of minors in our communities. As investigations continue, authorities emphasize the need for vigilance and education regarding online safety for children.
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Additional Resources
- WIS News: Irmo Police Arrest 8 Alleged Online Predators
- Lexington County Sheriff: Operation Targets Online Predators
- WCNC: Operation Milestone Child Predator Arrests
- Wikipedia: Online Predator
- WPDE: 11 Men Arrested in Online Sting Operation
- Google Search: Child Predator Laws
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
