by Abigail Roberts
An undocumented immigrant who reportedly lives in Crab Orchard was arrested by the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office after allegedly attempting to meet minors in Somerset.
Raquel Gomez-Lopez, 40, was arrested in a joint operation between the online organization KyPredoPursuit, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Criminal Investigation Division.
KyPredoPursuit is an online organization that uses adult-operated decoy accounts to identify individuals attempting to arrange sexual contact with minors.
Gomez-Lopez was arrested Sept. 7 after allegedly communicating with two separate decoy accounts through Facebook.
According to a PCSO press release, Gomez-Lopez was informed that each decoy was 14 years old.
“Investigators allege that Gomez-Lopez expressed his intent to engage in sexual activity with the purported minors and discussed providing alcohol to one of them,” the press release states.
Gomez-Lopez traveled to a location in Somerset on Sept. 7 to meet who he thought was one of the 14-year-old minors. Law enforcement located Gomez-Lopez and took him into custody.
He had allegedly been using the name “Cirjio Gomes” online.
Following the investigation, Gomez-Lopez was charged with unlawful procurement of a minor by electronic means and attempted unlawful transaction with a minor.
He is currently lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center. His bond has been set at $30,000.
“At the time of his arrest for these charges, Gomez-Lopez was also placed under a federal detention order for being an illegal alien in the United States,” the release states. “The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office reminds parents and guardians to remain aware of their children’s online activities and to report suspicious communications involving minors to law enforcement.”
KyPredoPursuit says Gomez-Lopez had an active warrant at the time of his arrest, as well as a history of multiple prior deportations.
The investigation remains ongoing by Det. Lt. Bryant and ICE. Additional information may be released as it becomes available.
Det. Lt. Bryant was assisted in the investigation and arrest by Sergeant Ron Hellard, Deputy Joey Johnson, Deputy Seth Gover, Deputy Brandon Parks, and Deputy Matt Walker
