Eurotoday – A 26-year-old Belgian police officer from the Brussels Capital/Ixelles Intervention Brigade was arrested in Texas on April 16, 2025, in an FBI sting operation for allegedly attempting to solicit a minor online.
According to VRT News, the officer—who is originally from Limburg and resides in Leuven—was apprehended in the United States after being caught in a trap set by the FBI targeting individuals attempting to engage in sexual activities with minors. The Brussels police confirmed the arrest and stated that the department was fully informed about the incident.
Ilse Van de Keere, spokesperson for the Brussels police, announced that an internal investigation had been launched to clarify the circumstances of the arrest and gather all relevant facts. Depending on the investigation’s outcome, the appropriate disciplinary or legal actions will be taken in accordance with standard police procedures.
Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also monitoring the case and working through the Belgian consulate in the U.S. to ensure the officer’s rights are protected while respecting the confidentiality of the ongoing legal process.
The officer was reportedly using online platforms in search of sex workers during his stay in the U.S., where he unknowingly interacted with a fictitious profile of a 14-year-old girl created by the FBI. Despite receiving a warning from the agency that his activity was illegal and could lead to arrest, he continued seeking minors online, resulting in intervention by Texas law enforcement.
If convicted, the officer could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years. The arrest has generated significant public reaction in both the United States and Belgium due to the involvement of a law enforcement official.
The FBI frequently employs such online operations to identify and apprehend individuals attempting to exploit minors, including foreign nationals.
Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper with independent coverage of European and international affairs. With a pan-European outlook, Eurotoday focuses on key EU policy developments, member state issues, and global topics from a European perspective.
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