West Warwick Man Sexually Exploited Child Through Roblox, Snapchat: Florida AG

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL — A West Warwick man sexually exploited a child through the video game Roblox and the social media and instant messaging app Snapchat, according to the Florida Attorney General's Office.

"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,” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said in a media release.

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The West Warwick man, Justin Adkins, 29, was in custody without bail at the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institutions Intake Center pending his extradition to Florida.

Adkins, who already faced charges of child molestation in Rhode Island, was charged in Florida with using a child in a sexual performance, transmission of material harmful to a minor by electronic device and unlawful possession of materials depicting a sexual performance by a child, according to the release.

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The investigation of Adkins began in January 2025 after the child informed the Green Cove Springs, Florida, Police Department of his crimes, the release said.

"Investigators found that Adkins first interacted with the victim in 2024 on Fortnite, an online battle royale game popular among children," according to the release.

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"The two chatted on the gaming platform, exchanged phone numbers, and began communicating on Snapchat, a popular mobile messaging app primarily used for sharing photos and videos ('snaps') that disappear after being viewed," the release said.

"Adkins convinced the victim that they were in a romantic relationship, despite knowing the victim’s age. He coerced the victim into creating and sending hundreds of pornographic pictures and videos," according to the release.

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"Additionally, Adkins was sending adult pornographic material to the victim with instructions to recreate it," the release said. "He manipulated the victim by purchasing gifts, including a new iPhone, with which he wanted the victim to produce higher-quality child sexual abuse material. He also sent V-bucks, the currency in Fortnite, and Robux, the currency in Roblox."

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