A Bridgeport man faces a $2 million bond after police arrested him on Friday morning for the alleged sexual assault of four children over the past year.
Officers from Bridgeport’s Special Victims Unit took 45-year-old Jose Lopez into custody at his home on Hallet Street. The arrests stem from an investigation dubbed “Operation Cola,” which references Lopez’s street name.
Investigators state the assaults occurred between June and October, involving children ranging in age from three to 12 years old. Officials interviewed the victims at the center of family justice after a child reported the incidents to a parent.
Police records show Lopez had an active felony warrant for multiple charges, including sexual assault and kidnapping. Officers also confirmed he has been listed on the Sex Offender Registry since a 2005 illegal sexual contact case.
Lopez reportedly told police he went door-to-door offering to cut lawns.
“Some of the victims stated he offered them money and gifts to help him, and then sexually assaulted them,” police said. “Some victims stated Lopez forced them to watch pornography.”
Authorities booked Lopez at police headquarters before transferring him to court for his arraignment. Court documents outline a series of severe charges filed against him.
The charges include risk of injury and impairing the morals of a minor, four counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, three counts of illegal sexual contact with a minor, and two counts of physical threatening.
Prosecutors also added charges of first-degree unlawful restraint and commercial sex abuse for agreeing to pay for sexual acts.
Investigators believe additional victims may exist and are urging the public to share information.
“There could be more victims out there, and if there are, we are asking them […] to come forward because we will certainly continue this investigation,” Bridgeport Detective Jeffrey Holtz said.