A 20-year-old Bradenton man was arrested in Punta Gorda on Friday after Charlotte County sheriff's detectives say he allegedly tried to meet a 13-year-old for sex. Detectives with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit identified the suspect as Kevin Lopez Perez and took him into custody after intercepting him during the investigation.
According to YourSun, investigators say Lopez Perez traveled to Punta Gorda and was intercepted while he was attempting to meet the juvenile. The outlet reports that detectives then arrested him and identified him as a Bradenton resident.
Legal stakes under Florida law
Florida Statute §847.0135 criminalizes traveling to meet, or attempting to travel to meet, a child for sexual purposes after using an internet service or electronic device, and those offenses can be prosecuted as felonies. Prosecutors frequently turn to that statute in cases where suspects are intercepted during undercover operations, and courts have upheld prosecutions that rest on a defendant's belief that they were communicating with a minor.
Broader trend
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has reported a sharp rise in online enticement cases in the first half of 2025, a spike that officials say has prompted more proactive enforcement. That increase has pushed local and federal agencies to expand undercover investigations and other tactics aimed at stopping adults who try to meet minors for sex.
Investigation details
Beyond confirming the arrest, officials have not released many specifics about how detectives arranged the meeting or the suspect's current booking status. According to YourSun, the Major Crimes Unit intercepted the man in Punta Gorda but did not list formal charges in its initial account of the case.
How to report tips
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact local law enforcement. Tips about suspected online exploitation can also be submitted to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org. NCMEC and local agencies provide resources and referrals for victims and families while investigations are underway.
