ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A former local volunteer firefighter, Vincent Steiner, has been accused of sexually exploiting children online using the popular gaming platform Roblox, according to court documents. Steiner is accused of sending and requested nude photos from minors and used the platform to communicate with them.
READ MORE: Former volunteer firefighter accused of sending explicit messages to minors over Roblox
Court documents revealed that Steiner used the account names LordVader1253 and IceShark1253 to send explicit messages and obtain phone numbers from his victims. Steiner was aware of the victims’ ages, officials said.
In March, the FBI received a report from a parent of a victim, prompting an investigation. A search and seizure warrant was executed in July, leading to Steiner’s arrest in October.
Trooper Jason Klewicki discussed the dangers of online gaming. He emphasized the importance of parents familiarizing themselves with the platforms their children use.
“Make our kids, from a very young age understand that when they’re communicating with people to make sure they know who they’re communicating with,” said Klewicki.
Klewicki advised parents to disable chat features on gaming platforms and consider creating their own accounts to play alongside their children. He also recommended monitoring children’s demeanors and occasionally checking their phones.
News10NBC’s affiliate in Buffalo reports that Roblox will now begin requiring users to submit a photo with their government ID to use the chat function, or to upload a selfie for verification using a third-party AI platform that estimates someone’s age.
This new chat system will limit users’ ability to interact with people outside their age group. It is expected to begin in the U.S. sometime next year.
Steiner is scheduled to appear in federal court in January.