U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe | U.S. Department of Justice
Daniel James Riggs, a 31-year-old tennis coach from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, appeared in court today facing charges of enticement of a minor and production of child pornography. The complaint alleges that Riggs engaged in sexual conversations with a minor through social media and abused the victim during international and domestic travel for tennis training and tournaments. He also allegedly requested child sexual abuse material from the victim using multiple anonymous profiles on social media.
The investigation by FBI Miami and the Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) has uncovered records suggesting there may be additional victims. Authorities urge anyone with relevant information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. A pretrial detention hearing is set for December 23 at 11:00 a.m.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of FBI Miami Field Office, and Sheriff Gregory Tony of BSO announced the charges against Riggs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Camille Smith is handling the prosecution.
The case falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. This program coordinates resources across federal, state, and local levels to apprehend offenders who exploit children online.
Court documents related to this case can be accessed on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida or through their PACER system under case number 24-mj-6603.
"All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," authorities emphasized.
For more details about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
