Federal agents arrested a 26-year-old Albuquerque man after investigators traced cryptocurrency transactions used to purchase access to a dark-web site containing child sexual abuse material.
Don Roberto Lopez sits in federal custody pending a detention hearing following his arrest. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced the charges in a statement detailing the ongoing federal probe.
“Don Roberto Lopez has been charged with accessing with intent to view child sexual abuse material (CSAM) after allegedly using cryptocurrency to purchase access to a dark web website offering CSAM,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated. If convicted of the current charge, Lopez faces up to 10 years in federal prison, according to the Albuquerque Journal.
Financial Tip Sparked Federal Probe
The investigation began in September 2026 when a financial company notified the FBI about cryptocurrency purchases linked to a dark-web site associated with child sexual abuse material. That tip led federal agents to obtain a search warrant for Lopez on November 8.
FBI agents executed the warrant the following day on November 9, seizing his cellphone. A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court outlines the digital evidence gathered during the initial sweep.
According to the complaint, Lopez admitted to federal agents that he viewed child sexual abuse material on the dark web roughly 10 to 20 times. He also estimated that he paid to access the illicit content about three times, including a payment recorded on August 26, 2026.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing Guidelines
Forensic examination and analysis of the seized electronic devices remain pending while the investigation continues. Court records do not indicate whether Lopez has entered a plea.
Federal sentencing outcomes in non-production child pornography cases have historically varied widely across the judicial system. Data from the United States Sentencing Commission indicates that 59.0 percent of such offenders nationally received a sentence below the federal guideline range. Non-government-sponsored below-range variances accounted for 42.2 percent of those imposed sentences. Those historical figures do not establish any specific outcome for this case.
Under 18 U.S.C. § 2252A, federal law criminalizes knowingly possessing or knowingly accessing with intent to view material containing child pornography when the material has a specified connection to interstate or foreign commerce. Defense representation for Lopez did not respond to calls seeking comment on the charges.
