A 21-year-old Chilean man was arrested Wednesday at Los Angeles International Airport after authorities said he developed an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl he met online on Roblox and flew to the United States to meet her.
Daniel Aravena Oliva “spent several months manipulating and grooming” the 13-year-old victim through online platforms before being arrested on suspicion of child exploitation and production of child pornography, the Glendora Police Department said in a Facebook post. Lt. Matt Fenner, a spokesman for the agency, said Oliva now also faces federal charges in the case.
Oliva initially contacted the girl through Roblox, the extremely popular online gaming platform, Fenner said.
“He convinced her to stop talking and go somewhere where she could talk more freely,” Fenner said. They eventually communicated over Zoom and other online platforms, she said.
On Wednesday morning, Oliva arrived at LAX airport “with the intent to exploit a minor,” police said. He had booked an Airbnb near the minor’s home and had arranged to meet her in person, authorities said.
Glendora police detectives worked with Homeland Security Investigations on the case. Tips on keeping children safe can be found online from the National Children's Advocacy Center here.
