In a shocking development, 60-year-old LATAM Airlines pilot Sérgio Antônio Lopes was arrested inside the cockpit of his plane at Congonhas Airport in São Paulo on Monday, just moments before a scheduled flight to Rio de Janeiro. The arrest was part of a major investigation into a long-running child sexual exploitation network, dubbed Operation “Fasten Your Seatbelts” by the São Paulo Civil Police.
Authorities allege that Lopes led a criminal ring operating for more than eight years, involving the sexual abuse of minors, some as young as 10 years old. Investigators say he paid families for access to children and photos, used fake identification documents to take victims to motels, committed sexual assault, and shared child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
During the operation, police also arrested two women connected to the network—one accused of selling her own granddaughters to Lopes, and another suspected of facilitating abuse involving her daughter. Multiple homes were searched, including Lopes’ residence in Guararema, with digital evidence and materials seized for further investigation.
Eyewitnesses reported that the arrest unfolded as passengers waited to board flight LA3900 from São Paulo to Rio. Police officers boarded the aircraft, took Lopes into custody, and removed him from the plane in handcuffs. The flight later departed and arrived at its destination on schedule after the pilot’s removal.
Lopes, who has not yet entered a plea, faces a range of alleged charges, including rape of vulnerable persons, sexual exploitation of minors, facilitation of prostitution, recruitment of children, possession and distribution of CSAM, stalking, and use of false documents.
LATAM Airlines Brasil confirmed it is cooperating fully with authorities and has launched an internal review. The airline condemned the alleged crimes and reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and ethical conduct.
This case has drawn widespread attention across Brazil and internationally, highlighting the ongoing fight against organised networks of child exploitation. Authorities have indicated that further arrests and charges are possible as the investigation continues.
The São Paulo Civil Police are urging anyone with information about additional victims or accomplices to come forward.
