Fort Lauderdale tennis coach Daniel James Riggs was charged today with enticement of a minor and production of child pornography, centering on allegations that he sexually abused a minor and solicited child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
The complaint against Riggs indicates that he used his position as a tennis coach to engage in sexual conversations with the minor victim over social media. Furthermore, it is alleged that Riggs sexually exploited the victim while they traveled for tennis-related activities. To add further concealment to his alleged actions, Riggs reportedly established multiple anonymous profiles and advised the victim to delete their communications. This was detailed in "a complaint" obtained from the Justice Department.
During the initial investigation, social media records revealed the possibility of additional victims. The FBI is actively seeking information connected to other potential cases of child sexual exploitation involving Riggs. They have encouraged anyone with information to come forward and contact them at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
With Riggs' pretrial detention hearing to be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m., the community is grappling with these disturbing revelations. Charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office, and Sheriff Gregory Tony of the Broward Sheriff’s Office. This case, as Assistant U.S. Attorney Camille Smith is prosecuting, comes as a part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006, specifically to address to increasingly combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
While a complaint is not a definite conviction and Riggs is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the details surrounding the case have prompted a renewed focus on the protection of minors in sporting environments. Relevant court documents and further information can be found at the official website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida or through the court's PACER service, referenced as case number 24-mj-6603.
