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The Attorney General revealed that the suspect engaged in communication with the minor through Snapchat and the online game Fortnite.
GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. — A man from Rhode Island is currently facing charges in Florida, accused of exploiting social media and gaming networks to target a child.
Florida’s Attorney General, James Uthmeier, disclosed the arrest of 29-year-old Justin Adkins, following a comprehensive investigation that began over a year ago. This probe was a collaborative effort among the Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and the Green Cove Springs Police Department (GCSPD).
Officials reported that Adkins initially made contact with the child in 2024 through Fortnite, a widely played battle royale game, especially among young people.
As the investigation revealed, their interaction on the gaming platform soon led to an exchange of phone numbers, with further conversations taking place on the social media application, Snapchat.
Uthmeier said Adkins convinced the child that they were in a romantic relationship despite his knowing of their age gap, and coerced them into creating and sending hundreds of pornographic pictures and videos in exchange for gifts such as a new iPhone.
“That’s how sick this dude was,” he said.
Adkins also sent the child V-bucks, which is a currency used in Fortnite, and Robux, the currency in Roblox.
Adkins also reportedly sent adult pornographic material and would ask the child to recreate it.
An arrest warrant obtained by FDLE and GCSPD was carried out by local law enforcement in West Warwick, Rhode Island, on Tuesday, Feb. 3, where Adkins is currently being held without bond and will soon be extradited to Florida.
Adkins is facing multiple charges, including using a child in a sexual performance, transmission of material harmful to a minor by electronic device and 13 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child. He is also facing criminal proceedings in Rhode Island for two counts of second-degree child molestation.
“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 Coves 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.”
If convicted on all counts, Adkins faces up to 85 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.
“Hopefully he’ll spend the rest of his life here in this state,” Uthmeier said.
This announcement also comes a few months after Uthmeier issued criminal subpoenas to Roblox over allegations that the site is aiding predators into accessing and harming children.
“Platforms like Roblox have become breeding grounds for predators to gain access to our kids,” Uthmeier previously stated. “We will stop at nothing in the fight to protect Florida’s children, and companies that expose them to harm will be held accountable.”