Overview
- Federal prosecutors say Skyler Douglas Laza admitted persuading a child under 12 to perform sexually explicit acts that were recorded on a cellphone, and he entered a guilty plea in federal court.
- The case began after a November 2025 cyber tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was routed to a North Texas ICAC task force that prompted a multi‑agency investigation.
- Investigators concluded Laza and a second former law‑enforcement officer sexually assaulted the same victim multiple times and collected evidence that led to Laza’s arrest in Palestine, Texas.
- Under a plea agreement, Laza faces an expected 40 to 60 years in federal prison, lifetime supervised release, and mandatory registration as a sex offender with sentencing set after a presentence report.
- Homeland Security Investigations, Dallas police, the Texas Department of Public Safety, local police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are continuing the probe while questions about the other alleged former officer remain under investigation.