Lawsuit Claims Roblox, Discord Allowed Somerset Man To Sexually Exploit Child

SOMERSET, NJ — A New Jersey family has filed a lawsuit against Roblox and Discord, claiming the gaming platforms should be held accountable for facilitating the sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old child by a Somerset man last summer.

"The heinous acts against [the child] were directly committed by a dangerous child predator — one who now faces criminal charges for what he has done. But this predator’s actions were possible only because of the egregiously tortious conduct of [Roblox and Discord]," according to the lawsuit filed on Feb. 12 in California’s San Mateo County Superior Court.

The lawsuit follows the arrest of Sebastian Romero, 27, of Somerset, in August 2024. Police say Romero convinced the Burlington County boy to take and send him nude photos and also arranged to meet the underage boy and then threatened the victim's family when he didn't show up.

Authorities found that Romero initially contacted the boy in a chatroom on an online gaming platform, according to Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Cinnaminson Township Police Chief William Obuchowski.

• Related: Somerset Man Bought Boy's Nude Pics, Lured Him And Threatened His Family: Prosecutor

Romero got the child's personal information and then offered to purchase nude photos and videos — all while knowing the victim's age, said Bradshaw.

"With their pervasive misrepresentations about safety, Defendants lure parents into believing their apps are appropriate places for children to play. In reality, and as Defendants well know, the design of their apps makes children easy prey for pedophiles. They allow adult users to identify and readily initiate conversations with children, then manipulate the trust of those children, including by gifting them Robux, Roblox’s valuable online currency," according to the lawsuit.

Romero has since been charged with producing child sexual abuse material (first-degree), impairing/debauching the morals of a child (second-degree), luring (second-degree), aggravated sexual extortion (second-degree), possession of child sexual abuse material (third-degree) and obscenity to a minor (third-degree).

The lawsuit alleges the 13-year-old boy "has suffered unimaginable harm. His innocence has been snatched from him forever. Tragically, what happened to him is far from an isolated event. Indeed, Plaintiff is just one of countless children whose lives have been devastated as a result of Defendants' misrepresentations and defectively designed apps. This action, therefore, is not just a battle to vindicate Plaintiff’s rights — it is a stand against Defendants’ systemic failures to protect society’s most vulnerable from unthinkable harm in pursuit of financial gain over child safety."

A Roblox Spokesperson told Patch that they cannot comment on pending litigation.

"With that being said, Roblox takes the safety of its community very seriously. We are constantly innovating and launching new safety features including more than 40 safety features and policies in 2024," said the Roblox Spokesperson.

Discord did not immediately respond to Patch with a comment.

The lawsuit is seeking "past, present, and future general damages, the exact amount of which has yet to be ascertained... to compensate the Plaintiff for injuries sustained as a result of the use of each Defendant’s product, including but not limited to physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and expenses for medical treatments" along with medical expenses, attorney's fees and more.

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