California man wanted for child sexual exploitation crimes arrested in Arizona: FBI

PHOENIX – FBI officials say a California man has been arrested in Phoenix on suspicion of sexual misconduct with minors.

The FBI said in a statement that Christopher Michael Loza, 47, made his initial appearance in federal court in Los Angeles on August 18 after being arrested in Arizona earlier in August.

According to investigators, charges were filed against Loza in January 2024, following an undercover operation in which Loza allegedly chatted online with a person he believed was a 15-year-old girl.

“During the conversation, Loza allegedly made multiple comments indicating he wanted to engage in sexual acts with the victim, who was in fact an undercover agent,” the FBI affidavit reads in part.

According to investigators, Loza allegedly asked if he could come to the minor’s home, after which he sent “a series of offensive sexual messages.”

“The indictment further alleges that Loza drove to a park in Camarillo to meet the minor and knowingly possessed a flash drive containing child pornography,” the affidavit reads in part. Camarillo is a community located west of Thousand Oaks in Ventura County, California.

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According to the FBI, the child abuse material involved minors under the age of 12.

“Loza was initially arrested in 2023 on state charges filed by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and released on bond,” the FBI statement reads in part. “After he failed to appear for his arraignment on the state charges of communicating with a minor with the intent to commit sexual acts and arranging to meet a child for sexual acts, members of the (Ventura County Child Exploitation Task Force) attempted to locate Loza but determined he may have fled.”

According to the FBI, Loza was later approached by Phoenix police officers during a public information and enforcement operation.

“While identifying the city and state code violations, Phoenix police conducted a check on Loza, discovered an outstanding warrant for his arrest, and took Loza into custody after Loza attempted to flee,” FBI officials wrote.

According to the statement, a trial date of October 7 has been set for Loza. He is charged with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and possession of child abuse material. If convicted, he could face life in prison.