Alejandro T. Pena Lam Wanted After Removing Ankle Monitor and Disappearing in Florida
Federal Fugitive Accused in Child Exploitation Case Was Last Seen in Miami’s Kendall District
Alejandro T. Pena Lam is wanted by federal authorities after violating the conditions of his pretrial release and disappearing while facing serious federal charges involving a 13-year-old girl. Pena Lam had been indicted in the Middle District of Florida in August 2023 on charges related to the online enticement of the child to produce and send sexually explicit images. After being released under federal Pretrial Services supervision, authorities say he removed his ankle monitor without permission on April 17, 2024, and disappeared.
The FBI considers Pena Lam an escape risk and continues to seek information concerning his whereabouts. He has ties to Miami, Florida, and was last seen in the Kendall District of Miami-Dade County. His case is currently listed by the FBI under Crimes Against Children, and the Tampa Field Office is responsible for the federal fugitive investigation.
Federal Child Exploitation Investigation
The underlying federal case dates to February 2023 and involves accusations that Pena Lam communicated online with a 13-year-old girl. Federal authorities accuse him of enticing the child to produce sexually explicit images and transmit those images to him through the internet. The investigation eventually resulted in charges involving enticing a minor to produce child pornography and receipt of child pornography.
Online child exploitation investigations can involve extensive examination of electronic communications, accounts, devices, photographs, internet records, and other digital evidence. Investigators attempt to determine who controlled the accounts involved, how communications developed, what material was requested or transmitted, and whether additional victims or accounts may exist. Evidence gathered during the investigation ultimately led federal prosecutors to take the case before the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
13-Year-Old Girl at Center of Federal Case
Federal authorities say the victim was only 13 years old when the conduct occurred in February 2023. The allegations involve Pena Lam using online communications to persuade or entice the child to create sexually explicit images and send them to him. Federal law treats the sexual exploitation of children through the production of such material as an extremely serious offense.
Cases involving online enticement can develop entirely through electronic communications before an investigation becomes known to law enforcement. Messages, account records, device information, and stored files can become critical evidence when investigators attempt to identify the person communicating with a child. Digital evidence can also allow investigators to reconstruct conversations even after individual messages or accounts have been deleted.
Federal Indictment in August 2023
Pena Lam was indicted in August 2023 in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division. The federal charges arose from the investigation into his communications with the 13-year-old girl earlier that year. The FBI currently identifies the underlying offenses associated with his fugitive case as enticing a minor to produce child pornography and receipt of child pornography.
An indictment formally brings federal criminal charges but does not itself establish guilt. The underlying accusations against Pena Lam remain subject to resolution through the federal judicial process. His subsequent disappearance prevented that process from continuing normally.
Released Under Pretrial Services Supervision
Following the federal charges, Pena Lam was released under Pretrial Services supervision rather than remaining continuously in federal custody while awaiting further proceedings. Federal pretrial release can involve strict conditions designed to ensure that a defendant returns to court and complies with restrictions established by a judge.
Electronic monitoring can be one of those conditions. An ankle monitor allows authorities to track or supervise a defendant's movements and can provide information when the individual leaves an approved location or otherwise violates restrictions. A defendant released under these conditions is required to follow them while the criminal case remains pending.
Pena Lam initially remained under that supervision. That changed dramatically in April 2024 when authorities say he deliberately removed the monitoring device.
Ankle Monitor Removed
On April 17, 2024, Pena Lam removed his ankle monitor without authorization and violated the conditions of his pretrial release. Removing the device eliminated an important mechanism authorities were using to supervise his movements. His disappearance immediately created a new problem for federal investigators in addition to the existing child exploitation prosecution.
The removal of an electronic monitor is particularly significant in a fugitive investigation because it can demonstrate an effort to evade court-ordered supervision. Once the monitoring device was removed, authorities could no longer rely on it to establish his location. Investigators instead had to begin searching for him through other means.
By the following day, federal authorities had obtained another arrest warrant.
New Federal Arrest Warrant Issued
On April 18, 2024, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Pena Lam by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Orlando. He was charged with violation of conditions of pretrial release. The new warrant was separate from the underlying charges involving the 13-year-old victim.
The sequence of events happened quickly. Pena Lam removed the ankle monitor on April 17, and the federal warrant followed on April 18. Authorities have since continued attempting to determine where he went after escaping supervision.
His fugitive status means investigators are now dealing with two connected issues: returning him to federal custody and continuing the prosecution of the underlying criminal case.
Last Seen in Miami’s Kendall District
Although the original federal case was filed through the Orlando Division of the Middle District of Florida, Pena Lam has significant connections to South Florida. The FBI states that he has ties to Miami and was last seen within the Kendall District.
Kendall is located in Miami-Dade County and is approximately 200 miles south of Orlando. His presence there after becoming involved in a federal case demonstrates why investigators are seeking information beyond the immediate area where the prosecution originated.
Someone who encountered Pena Lam in Miami may have had no knowledge of his pending federal case. Publicizing his photograph, aliases, physical description, and fugitive status gives people who may have seen him an opportunity to recognize him and contact authorities.
FBI Considers Pena Lam an Escape Risk
The FBI specifically warns that Pena Lam should be considered an escape risk. That designation is consistent with the circumstances surrounding his disappearance because authorities say he removed a court-ordered ankle monitor and violated federal pretrial supervision.
An escape-risk warning is important information for both law enforcement and members of the public. It indicates that authorities believe there is a significant possibility the fugitive may continue attempting to avoid capture or leave an area if he becomes aware investigators are closing in.
Members of the public who believe they have located Pena Lam should therefore avoid confronting or attempting to detain him. Information concerning his location should instead be provided directly to law enforcement.
Who Is Alejandro T. Pena Lam?
Alejandro T. Pena Lam was born on October 11, 2000, in Cuba. The FBI lists several alternative names associated with him, including Alejandro Lam-Pena, Alejandro Lam, Alejandro Pena Lam, and Alejandro Pena. These aliases are important because he may use variations of his name when interacting with people, establishing accounts, or identifying himself.
Pena Lam is described as a Cuban national with brown hair and brown eyes. He stands approximately 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs around 135 pounds. He speaks both English and Spanish.
The FBI's publicly distributed photograph of Pena Lam was taken in 2023. Because he disappeared in 2024, investigators must consider the possibility that he could alter his hairstyle, facial hair, clothing, or other aspects of his appearance to make recognition more difficult.
Multiple Names Could Complicate the Search
The FBI's identification of several aliases is particularly important in a fugitive case. Someone may know Pena Lam as Alejandro Lam, Alejandro Pena, or Alejandro Lam-Pena without realizing those names are connected to the same wanted individual.
Variations in surnames can also appear in employment records, housing arrangements, online accounts, or informal social relationships. Investigators searching for a fugitive must therefore consider all known versions of a person's identity rather than relying exclusively on the name appearing on the federal indictment.
People who recognize Pena Lam's photograph but know him by another name should not assume they have identified the wrong person. That discrepancy itself could be useful information for investigators.
English and Spanish Speaker
Pena Lam speaks both English and Spanish. His bilingual ability and connections to Miami could allow him to move comfortably within numerous communities throughout South Florida and elsewhere.
Language information can be valuable when investigators are attempting to locate a fugitive because it helps identify environments in which the individual could live or work without attracting attention. Miami-Dade County has an enormous Spanish-speaking population, meaning Pena Lam's linguistic background would not make him unusual within the region.
Authorities have not publicly stated that he remains in Miami. His last-known connection to Kendall provides an investigative starting point rather than proof of his present location.
Digital Evidence May Remain Important
Because the underlying criminal case involves alleged online communications, digital evidence may remain important even after Pena Lam's disappearance. Electronic accounts, devices, telephone numbers, email addresses, online profiles, and internet activity can potentially provide investigators with information concerning both the original allegations and a fugitive's subsequent movements.
Fugitives may attempt to change telephone numbers or create new accounts after disappearing, but relationships between accounts can sometimes be identified through communications, contacts, device information, or other records. Investigators can also examine whether a wanted person continues communicating with family members, friends, or associates.
Members of the public should not attempt to access private accounts or independently track someone they believe to be Pena Lam. Any relevant online information should be preserved and provided to investigators.
FBI Tampa Field Office Handling the Case
The FBI identifies its Tampa Field Office as the office responsible for Pena Lam's wanted case. The Tampa office covers the federal investigation connected to his underlying prosecution in the Middle District of Florida.
Federal fugitive investigations can extend far beyond the geographic boundaries of the original court case. If investigators receive credible information placing Pena Lam in another part of Florida, another state, or another country, federal resources can be coordinated with the appropriate authorities in that jurisdiction.
His known connection to Miami means cooperation with law-enforcement agencies in South Florida may also become important. The immediate objective remains locating him and returning him to federal custody.
Nearly Two Years Since He Removed His Monitor
More than two years have passed since Pena Lam removed his ankle monitor in April 2024. During that period, his appearance, residence, employment, telephone numbers, online accounts, and personal associations may have changed.
Someone who met Pena Lam after April 2024 may have no knowledge that he was under federal supervision or facing charges involving a minor. He could also be using one of his known aliases or another variation of his identity.
This makes current information particularly valuable. A recent photograph, address, workplace, telephone number, vehicle, social-media account, or known associate could potentially help investigators determine his present location.
Alejandro T. Pena Lam Remains Wanted
Alejandro T. Pena Lam remains wanted after authorities say he removed his ankle monitor and violated federal pretrial supervision while facing charges connected to the alleged online enticement of a 13-year-old girl. He was indicted in August 2023 on charges related to enticing the minor to produce sexually explicit images and sending those images online. After being released under Pretrial Services supervision, he removed his electronic monitor without authorization on April 17, 2024.
A federal arrest warrant was issued the following day for violation of conditions of pretrial release. Pena Lam has ties to Miami and was last seen in the Kendall District, and the FBI specifically warns that he should be considered an escape risk. Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts should provide it directly to appropriate law-enforcement authorities and should not attempt to confront, follow, detain, or apprehend him.
