(WJAR) — Florida authorities said a West Warwick man was arrested and extradited after he allegedly used online games and social media to sexually exploit minors.
According to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, 29-year-old Justin Adkins is facing charges relating to sexual exploitation of a minor and coercing the production of child sexual abuse material.
“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 said. “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 said Adkins first interacted with a victim in 2024 on online game Fortnite.
He exchanged phone numbers with the victim through the gaming platform and continued communicating through Snapchat.
According to authorities, Adkins convinced the victim they were in a romantic relationship and coerced the victim into creating and sending hundreds of pornographic pictures and videos.
Residents across Rhode Island said the allegations are unsettling, especially given the platforms involved.
“It sounds like some Jeffrey Epstein, like Chris Hansen stuff,” said Andromeda of Warwick. “Really upsetting.”
Tessa Potter, a West Warwick resident, described the allegations in one word: “Disgusting.”
Gabriel Martinez of Providence said the case is a reminder for parents to remain vigilant.
“You gotta watch out,” Martinez said.
Andromeda said she believes gaming platforms should be doing more to protect children.
“I know Roblox has a big pedophilia problem and, like, the people who work at Roblox aren’t doing anything about it,” she said. “It’s kind of pretty messed up.”
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Officials also allege that Adkins sent adult pornographic materials to the victim with instructions to recreate them.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office said Adkins used gifts such as a new iPhone or game currency on Fortnite and Roblox to manipulate the victim.
Adkins was arrested last Tuesday in West Warwick and will be extricated to Florida, Uthmeier said.
Florida authorities said a West Warwick man was arrested and{ }extradited after he allegedly used online games and social media to sexually exploit minors. (Office of Attorney General James Uthmeier)
Uthmeier warned that online platforms can allow predators to reach children far beyond state lines.
“It’s a place where a stranger, an adult in another state, can get access to your little girl,” he said.
Former Secret Service agent Bobby McDonald said cases like this follow a familiar pattern and stressed the importance of parental awareness.
“We’ve really got to take this seriously,” McDonald said.
He urged parents not to underestimate how comfortable children are with technology and online 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 said.
Adkins is facing various charges, including using a child in a sexual performance and 13 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child, the attorney general’s office said.
NBC 10’s Amanda Bang contributed to this report.
