West Warwick man accused of sexually exploiting minors on gaming, social media platforms

(WJAR) — Florida authorities stated a West Warwick man was arrested and extricated after he allegedly used on-line video games and social media to sexually exploit minors.

According to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, 29-year-old Justin Adkins is going through costs regarding sexual exploitation of a minor and coercing the manufacturing of kid sexual abuse materials.

“Parents need to wake up to the disturbing reality that we are seeing online, because yet again, we caught a child predator using Snapchat and Roblox to groom and exploit a child,” Uthmeier stated. “Thanks to the Green Cove Springs PD, FDLE, and our Office of Statewide Prosecution, the child predator is in cuffs and will be extradited from Rhode Island to face justice in Florida.”

Officials stated Adkins first interacted with a sufferer in 2024 on on-line sport Fortnite.

He exchanged telephone numbers with the sufferer by means of the gaming platform and continued speaking by means of Snapchat.

According to authorities, Adkins satisfied the sufferer they have been in a romantic relationship and coerced the sufferer into creating and sending a whole bunch of pornographic footage and movies.

Residents throughout Rhode Island stated the allegations are unsettling, particularly given the platforms concerned.

“It sounds like some Jeffrey Epstein, like Chris Hansen stuff,” stated Andromeda of Warwick. “Really upsetting.”

Tessa Potter, a West Warwick resident, described the allegations in a single phrase: “Disgusting.”

Gabriel Martinez of Providence stated the case is a reminder for fogeys to stay vigilant.

“You gotta watch out,” Martinez stated.

Andromeda stated she believes gaming platforms must be doing extra to guard kids.

“I know Roblox has a big pedophilia problem and like the people who work at Roblox aren’t doing anything about it,” she stated. “It’s kind of pretty messed up.”

Officials additionally allege that Adkins despatched grownup pornographic supplies to the sufferer with directions to recreate them.

The Florida Attorney General’s Office stated Adkins used presents resembling a brand new iPhone or sport foreign money on Fortnite and Roblox to control the sufferer.

Adkins was arrested final Tuesday in West Warwick and will likely be extricated to Florida, Uthmeier stated.

Florida authorities stated a West Warwick man was arrested and extricated after he allegedly used on-line video games and social media to sexually exploit minors.

Uthmeier warned that on-line platforms can permit predators to succeed in kids far past state traces.

“It’s a place where a stranger, an adult in another state, can get access to your little girl,” he stated.

Former Secret Service agent Bobby McDonald stated instances like this comply with a well-known sample and pressured the significance of parental consciousness.

“We’ve really got to take this seriously,” McDonald stated.

He urged dad and mom to not underestimate how comfy kids are with expertise and on-line communication.

“We’ve got to spend a little bit more time looking over the shoulder of our kids to see what they’re doing and who they’re doing it with and what platforms they’re spending a lot of time with,” McDonald stated.

Adkins is going through numerous costs together with utilizing a baby in a sexual efficiency and 13 counts of illegal possession of supplies depicting sexual efficiency by a baby, the lawyer normal’s workplace stated.

NBC 10’s Amanda Bang contributed to this report.