Man arrested on suspicion of grooming children through Fortnite game

Police officers believe 41-year-old had up to 20 other victims

Anthony Thomas is accused of having sex with an underage girl (Broward County Sheriff's Office)

A man has been arrested in Florida after being accused of having sex with an underage girl he first met through Fortnite.

Anthony Gene Thomas, 41, allegedly engaged in sexual contact with a 17-year-old girl, after a co-conspirator used the popular game to contact the girl and introduce her to him.

The pair talked through the game and the schoolgirl told Mr Thomas about her problems at home, according to a statement from the Florida attorney general's office.

Mr Thomas gave the child gifts including credit cards and a mobile phone and his actions eventually led the pair to meet at his house on 25 August 2018, it is said.

The 41-year-old allegedly "engaged in sexual activity" with the schoolgirl. Police officers are said to have taken the girl from his house after her parents declared her missing.

The pair remained in contact and on 11 October police officers seized Mr Thomas' phone, which allegedly contained pornographic images and videos of the teenager.

Among the charges Mr Thomas faces are 22 counts of child pornography.

He also faces charges of soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computers, travelling to meet a minor for unlawful sexual activity, possession with intention to promote sexual performance of a child and unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

Police officers believe that he could have up to 20 further victims.

"This case is disturbing not only because it involves child pornography, but also because a popular online game was used to communicate with the victim," Ashley Moody, Florida's attorney general, said in a statement.

"We have reason to believe there could be additional victims, and I am asking anyone with information about the recruiting of minors for child pornography, or any other type of sexual exploitation, to call law enforcement immediately."

The official also pleaded with parents to be cautious when allowing children online.

“Parents need to know that predators will use any means possible to target and exploit a child."

"I am asking parents and guardians to please make sure you know who your children meet online, and talk to them about sexual predators.”

Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, made $3bn (£2.3bn) in profit this year, largely fuelled by the success of the game, according to Tech Crunch.