Polícia Civil of São Paulo arrested Sérgio Antônio Lopes, a 60-year-old pilot from the company The action occurred moments before the flight to Rio from Janeiro took off. The suspect is responsible for commanding a structured child sexual exploitation network that had been operating for at least eight years.
Investigations indicate that the pilot maintained a division of functions in the scheme, with the involvement of the victims’ legal guardians in the grooming. Dez victims have been identified so far in the state of São Paulo, but authorities have not ruled out the existence of cases in other regions.
The police approach was planned due to the difficulty in locating the suspect at his home, considering his frequent travel routine. Agentes followed the flight schedule provided by the airline and detained them in the aircraft cabin.
Circumstances of detention at the airport
The arrest took place during preparation for flight LA3900, which continued normally without delays after the pilot was replaced. Investigadores highlighted that the choice of location was due to the predictability of the suspect’s presence at work.
The operation mobilized specialized teams from Polícia Civil, who acted discreetly to avoid interference in the airport’s activities. Latam confirmed full collaboration with the authorities and reported the opening of an internal investigation into the case.
PRISON FOR CHILD ABUSE – A pilot from Latam, aged 60, was arrested this Monday (9) on an aircraft in Aeroporto of Congonhas, in the south zone of São Paulo. Segundo to Polícia Civil, he is a member of a child sexual exploitation network and would have received an amount…pic.twitter.com/rGSnhf8HwV
—Beatriz Schneider (@cartagena_rs)February 9, 2026
Suspect profile and professional routine
Sérgio Antônio Lopes lives in Guararema, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, and has a family. Sua activity as a commercial pilot facilitated constant travel, which complicated monitoring actions during the investigative phase.
A career in civil aviation allowed the suspect to have contacts in different cities, a factor that may have contributed to the temporal extension of the scheme. Autoridades confirm that he was regularly scheduled for domestic routes.
Detailed accusations against the pilot
The pilot faces charges for raping a vulnerable person, producing and storing child sexual exploitation material, as well as encouraging prostitution of minors. Pagamentos ranged between R$30 and R$100 for images sent via messaging apps.
Transfers occurred mainly via Pix, with amounts going to those responsible who facilitated the sending of content. In cases of face-to-face contact, the suspect used false identity documents to register admissions to motels with the victims.
How the scheme works
The suspect initiated contact with the victims’ mothers or grandmothers, simulating emotional interest to gain trust. Posteriormente, directed specific financial proposals in exchange for access to children and adolescents.
In addition to direct payments, it offered material assistance, such as the purchase of household appliances, medicines and rental coverage. Sempre that a physical meeting occurred, the abuse was completed, according to reports collected in the investigation.
Involvement of other investigators
A grandmother of three victims received temporary arrest on suspicion of grooming her own granddaughters in exchange for financial benefits. Outra woman, mother of a child, was arrested in the act after finding abuse files at her home.
Investigators identified a clear division of roles, with legal representatives acting as intermediaries in the scheme. Buscas additional results resulted in the seizure of a luxury vehicle recognized by victims as being used to travel to abuse.
Context of the police investigation
The investigation began in October 2025 based on anonymous complaints received by the specialized police station. Perícias on electronic devices revealed extensive exchanges of messages and proof of financial transactions linked to the crimes.
Teams from Departamento Estadual to Homicídios and from Proteção to Pessoa coordinated the actions, executing warrants at different addresses. The responsible delegate emphasized the organized structure of the network and the reiteration of criminal practices.
Measures taken by the airline
Latam issued an official statement repudiating any criminal conduct and reaffirming its commitment to ethical standards. The company made itself available to the authorities to provide additional information necessary for the investigation.
The flight affected by the arrest operated within the scheduled time after crew reassignment. Procedimentos internal background checks were strengthened in response to the employee episode.
Data on child sexual exploitation in the country
Reports of crimes related to the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents have registered a significant increase in recent years in Brasil. Canais specialists received thousands of reports annually, with emphasis on cases involving organized networks.
- Production and distribution of abuse material represent a significant portion of the records.
- Digital payments facilitate transactions in schemes similar to the one investigated.
- Family involvement appears in several cases identified by authorities.
- Police operations have resulted in hundreds of arrests for related crimes in recent times.
Statistics indicate that most victims suffer prolonged abuse before police intervene. Campanhas of awareness seek to expand safe reporting channels throughout the national territory.
Advances in victim identification
To date, ten children and adolescents have been identified as direct victims in the state of São Paulo. Equipes psychological and social assistance monitors cases to ensure adequate protection.
Investigations are ongoing to map possible victims in other states where the suspect flew. Cruzamento of financial and telephone data helps to expand the scope of the police investigation.
