CALIFORNIA (FOX26) — A Texas man has been arrested following a multi-state child exploitation investigation that began in Stanislaus County.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation started in February 2026 after a local mother reported that an unknown man had contacted her child online and allegedly requested sexually explicit images.
Detectives identified the suspect as 26-year-old Miguel Angel Lagos Ezquivel of Fort Worth, Texas.
Investigators say he communicated with more than 30 juvenile victims across multiple states, including 14 who have been identified in California, Arizona, Texas, Illinois, Colorado, New Mexico, and New Jersey.
Additional victims are still being identified in several states.
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A search warrant was conducted at his house with assistance from the Fort Worth Police Department, HSI Dallas, and HSI Stockton.
Ezquivel was arrested in Texas on May 10 on state child pornography charges.
He is expected to face additional federal charges as the investigation continues.
The case involved multiple law enforcement agencies across the country, including Homeland Security Investigations.
The Sheriff’s Office is urging parents to monitor their children’s online activity and report suspicious contact to law enforcement.