A tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has led to the arrest of a Florida teenager. Christian Scribben, 17, allegedly used the online game Roblox to lure minors and to persuade them to engage in sexual activities. Police say Scribben lied about his age and built trust with his victims. What he reportedly convinced some of them to do is positively disturbing. Scribben is now sitting in jail without bond as he awaits his fate.
According to a statement from the Marion County Sheriffâs Office posted April 30 on social media, an investigation into Scribben’s alleged actions began on February 28, 2025. A sheriffâs officer received a tip that Scribben had allegedly used Roblox to communicate with minors and encouraged them to create child sexual abuse material with their siblings.
âThrough Major Crimes Detective Henrik Osthedâs investigation, he learned that Scribben was responsible for the vile messages. He then obtained a search warrant for Scribbenâs residence, located at 1910 NW 40th Avenue Road, in Ocala,â the sheriff’s office shared in the statement.
On April 16, the Ocala Police Department SWAT Team accompanied sheriff’s officers to Scribbenâs home and executed a search warrant. Police collected multiple electronic devices for âdigital forensic examination.â
Osthed reportedly spoke with Scribben, who allegedly admitted to searching Roblox daily for victims. Scribben also reportedly told the detective he misrepresented his age to appear âacceptableâ to young children. Once he built trust, he moved conversations to a Discord server or text messaging. He allegedly admitted to communicating with four to five children every day.
âScribben advised that most of the CSAM he demanded was used for sexual gratification. However, in one specific instance, he just wanted proof that the sexual abuse was actually occurring as he directed.â the sheriff’s office statement reported.
Osthed told WCJB that people like Scribben know how to find their victims.
âAnywhere that a child can be, these people can find them. No matter what the safeguards are they can find a way around them. Based off some more information Iâve had they span across the country and the world,â Osthed said.
Police initially arrested Scribben on April 16 and took him to the Department of Juvenile Justice. He now sits in Marion County Jail without bond.
The news of Scribben’s arrest and alleged crimes disturbed many who shared comments on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page.
âDo better parents!! Thereâs no reason this guy should have this much access to children. Itâs YOUR job as a parent to know whatâs going on and who your kids are talking to,” one commenter wrote. “I donât care if everyone else is ‘doing it’. These games open your kids up to these pedophilesâŚstop allowing it.â
Someone else agreed and wrote, âThis is why I do not allow games with outside communication. Itâs time to stop being our kidsâ friends and start being their parents. Itâs true that Iâm not winning any popularity contest with my children, but just as I tell my dad thanks for the way he raised me, they will one day understand why I make the decisions I do to keep them safe.â
A Roblox representative shared a statement with WCJB regarding the Scribben case that reads:
âRoblox is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of our community, and helping protect children is a top priority. In February, we reported this case to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and permanently banned the account. Our policies prohibit such behavior and we do not allow user-to-user image sharing on our platform. We invest significant resources in advanced technology, including robust filters and human moderation teams, to detect and address inappropriate content and behavior. We continue to evolve our safety practices to promote a secure and positive experience for everyone on Roblox.“
Police believe there may be more victims. Anyone with information should call Osthed at (352) 351-4710.
