Anthony Gene Thomas, a 41-year-old Florida man, has been arrested following accusations of using Fortnite, financially the biggest game in the world, to groom underage victims into meeting him, along with an accomplice. Police currently believe that there could be as many as 20 victims.
Thomas's accomplice used Fortnite's chat system to meet young victims and introduce them to Thomas himself, who then used gifts to further groom the victims. One 17-year-old victim was given cash and a phone, which Thomas then used to remain in contact with the minor. Eventually, a face-to-face meeting took place between Thomas, his accomplice, and the minor, in which Thomas and the accomplice drove the minor back to Thomas' home in Broward County, Florida, where various sex crimes took place.
The minor's parents reported the child missing, leading the police to locate and return the child home the next day. However, Thomas remained in contact with the child, which ultimately lead to the police seizing and analyzing Thomas' mobile phone a few weeks later. The device reportedly contained pornographic images and videos of the minor.
Thomas is currently facing charges for soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computers, traveling to meet a minor for unlawful sexual activity, possession with intent to promote sexual performance of a child, 22 counts of child pornography and unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody released a statement regarding the incident, "This case is disturbing not only because it involves child pornography, but also because a popular online game was used to communicate with the victim... parents need to know that predators will use any means possible to target and exploit a child. I am asking parents and guardians to please make sure you know who your children meet online, and talk to them about sexual predators."
Hopefully parents will use this as a cautionary tale and monitor who their children communicate with online a bit more carefully.