A 12-year-old Trenton girl was sexually assaulted multiple times in the fall of 2025 after meeting her alleged abuser on the social media platforms Snapchat and Roblox, authorities said.
At a Glance
- Alex Torres-Lopez, 35, of Bridgeton, NJ, is charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child.
- The assaults occurred on multiple occasions in Trenton during fall 2025.
- Torres-Lopez allegedly coerced the girl into sending him pornographic images and videos of herself.
- He was arrested Jan. 7, 2026, at his Bridgeton home and remains in custody.
- Why it matters: The case highlights how predators exploit popular children’s gaming and messaging apps to target victims.
The Allegations
Investigators say Torres-Lopez first contacted the girl through Snapchat and Roblox, two platforms widely used by pre-teens. After establishing contact online, he arranged in-person meetings and sexually assaulted her repeatedly in Trenton between September and December 2025.
During the same period, Torres-Lopez also pressured the child to produce and send sexually explicit images and videos of herself, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. Those materials form the basis of the child-pornography-related endangering charge.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Torres-Lopez meets victim on Snapchat and Roblox |
| Fall 2025 | Multiple sexual assaults occur in Trenton |
| Jan. 5, 2026 | Trenton Police report assault to prosecutor’s office |
| Jan. 7, 2026 | Torres-Lopez arrested at Bridgeton home |
The Arrest
Torres-Lopez was taken into custody Jan. 7, 2026, without incident at his residence on East Commerce Street in Bridgeton. He is being held in the Mercer County Correction Center pending a detention hearing.
While the suspect is off the street, detectives stress that the investigation is active and ongoing. They are asking anyone with additional information about Torres-Lopez or any other potential victims to come forward immediately.
How to Help
- SVU Sergeant Sherika Salmon is the lead contact: 609-960-3119
- Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office website
- Suspected online enticement or child exploitation can be reported to:
- Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit: 609-989-6568
- New Jersey ICAC Task Force tip line: 888-648-6007
Support for Victims
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline (800-656-4673) provide free, confidential assistance 24 hours a day.
Key Takeaways
- Predators are using gaming and messaging apps popular with children to initiate contact.
- Parents should monitor children’s online interactions, even on platforms perceived as safe.
- Law enforcement encourages immediate reporting of any suspicious online behavior involving minors.
