Federal authorities have arrested Daniel James Riggs, a Fort Lauderdale tennis coach and grandson of renowned tennis figure Bobby Riggs, on serious charges of child sexual abuse.
Daniel James Riggs, 31, finds himself at the center of a federal investigation after being arrested on charges of enticing a minor and producing child pornography. This development was confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. The allegations came to light in September when the victim, a teenager, reported the case to authorities.
Court documents reveal that Riggs began coaching the victim around 2020 when she was 15 years old. The relationship allegedly turned sexual by October 2021. Authorities indicate that Riggs engaged in explicit conversations with the minor via a social media platform. Furthermore, Riggs is accused of exploiting his position as a coach to facilitate illegal activities during both domestic and international tennis tournaments.
According to the investigation, Riggs allegedly orchestrated a plan to solicit sexual images and videos from the victim through social media. He is also accused of creating multiple anonymous profiles to conceal his identity and advised the victim to delete their communications to avoid detection. The progression of events ultimately led to Riggs being apprehended at the Lauderdale Tennis Club.
On Tuesday morning, FBI agents detained Riggs at the tennis facility, confirming the severe nature of the accusations. He is currently held at a Broward County jail under a U.S. Marshals hold. As of now, Riggs’ legal representative has refrained from commenting on the charges.
The arrest of Daniel James Riggs serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by minors in sports environments. The ongoing investigation underscores the importance of vigilance and protective measures in safeguarding young athletes from exploitation and abuse.
Source: Nbcmiami
