An Ellis County, Texas, Marine Corps veteran has filed suit against the gaming platform Roblox, alleging he was groomed and sexually abused in 2007 by a predator he met on the site when he was 11 years old.
The case is among several filed nationwide against the popular children’s gaming platform. Similar lawsuits around the country have accused Roblox of not doing enough to safeguard minors from sexual predators, even after repeated warnings about the risks involved.
In this case, the complaint states the plaintiff first encountered the alleged predator on Roblox. The other user, who claimed to be a minor, allegedly pressured him into sexual activity online before arranging to meet in person. When the boy arrived, he discovered the man was 30 years old.
The veteran’s attorneys argue Roblox missed clear warning signs and failed to put in place effective safety measures, choosing instead to focus on revenue. They say the company knew its platform could be misused to target children, but did not act to stop it.
The plaintiff says the abuse left him with lasting emotional and psychological scars. He claims it also contributed to health issues and financial problems in the years that followed.
As of August 15, the company has not issued a public statement regarding the Ellis County filing. Roblox expanded its parental control features in late 2024 and has said its safety approach is “systematic, thoughtful, and guided by feedback from parents, youth, and experts.”
The Texas lawsuit joins others accusing Roblox of enabling the exploitation of minors. Court records and media accounts describe alleged grooming incidents and virtual areas within the game where sexual content could be accessed by children.
Some filings also claim that predators used other platforms, such as Discord, to continue contact after meeting minors through Roblox.