July 9, 2026 – Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office officials report that the Special Victims Unit (SVU) and Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Task Force initiated an investigation into suspected online sexual exploitation of a minor in February 2026. A local mother reported that her child had been contacted by an unknown adult male. The suspect allegedly requested that the child create and send sexually explicit images of herself through electronic means.

Through investigative efforts, including the service of multiple search warrants, detectives identified the suspect as 26-year-old Miguel Angel Lagos Ezquivel of Fort Worth, Texas.

Investigators determined that Lagos communicated with more than thirty juvenile victims across multiple states. To date, fourteen victims have been positively identified in California, Arizona, Texas, Illinois, Colorado, New Mexico, and New Jersey.

Due to the multi-jurisdictional scope of the case, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Stockton was requested to assist in presenting the case for federal prosecution. In April 2026, federal prosecutors in the Northern District of Texas began preparing for a federal indictment. On May 10, 2026, Miguel Angel Lagos Ezquivel was taken into custody in Texas for two counts of Texas Penal Code Section 43.26(d)(2)(b), possession and promotion of child pornography. A search warrant was simultaneously served at his residence with the assistance of the Fort Worth Police Department, HSI Dallas, and HSI Stockton.

Ezquivel is currently awaiting federal charges related to the exploitation of numerous juvenile victims. Additional victims are still being identified in several states.

This investigation was a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies, including:

• Village of Robbins Police Department (Illinois)
• Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office (New Jersey)
• Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office (California)
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Riverside (California)
• HSI Houston (Texas)
• HSI Dallas (Texas)
• Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (Arizona)
• New Mexico State Police (New Mexico)
• Commerce City Police Department (Colorado)
• HSI Albuquerque (New Mexico)
• HSI Norfolk (Virginia)
• HSI Salt Lake City (Utah)
• HSI Sarasota (Florida)

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office reminds parents and guardians to remain vigilant regarding their children’s online activity and to report any suspicious or inappropriate contact to law enforcement immediately.

Source: Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office