A Washington Man Arrested for Using Minecraft to Solicit Sexual Images from Children
The game Minecraft is not just about playing, it has also become a massive social network for its fans. However, like any other social network, there are predators lurking within. Recently, a man from Washington was arrested for using Minecraft to solicit sexual images from children he met on the game’s servers.
Andrew Hartung, aged 34, was arrested on April 18 and charged with six counts of sex offenses. It was discovered that Hartung had a previous conviction for child pornography in 2002, but he had failed to register as a convicted sex offender, as required by law. Consequently, Hartung was able to move into an apartment complex in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland, which authorities described as being “brimming with children.” It was here that Hartung would log onto Minecraft, as well as other games like League of Legends, to allegedly solicit minors.
Unsurprisingly, Hartung was found to have interacted with multiple children across state lines. The investigation into his activities began after a Colorado detective reported that Hartung had approached a 12-year-old boy. Another boy’s father contacted the police when his son began receiving flirtatious text messages from Hartung, who was posing as a 15-year-old boy. Both boys, as well as at least two others, had met Hartung through Minecraft or League of Legends.
Through a forensic analysis of Hartung’s computer and online conversations, it was revealed that he would target and solicit minors by bribing them with both real and virtual gifts, in exchange for nude photos of themselves. His bribes included money, cigarettes, electronics, and other expensive gifts, as well as a virtual diamond Minecraft sword and League of Legends game cards.
Authorities also found evidence in Hartung’s conversations that suggested he was planning to meet with the children and engage in illegal sexual activity.
Hartung’s bail has been set at $500,000 and he remains in jail. He has been charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, two counts of communication with a minor for immoral purposes, and one count of possession of child pornography. His arraignment is scheduled for May 5.
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