Lawsuit Accuses Roblox, Discord, and Uber of Failing to Prevent Abduction and Assault of Teen
A 19-year-old woman has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, Discord, and Uber, alleging the companies failed to address warnings about a user's predatory behavior. The suit claims the user arranged an off-platform Uber ride to transport her from Indiana to New Jersey, where she was confined and assaulted. The case was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
nbcnews.comA 19-year-old woman filed a lawsuit on Friday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Roblox, Discord, and Uber. The suit alleges that a user known as "DoctorRofatnik," identified as Arnold Castillo, used the platforms to contact and transport her when she was 15 years old.
According to the lawsuit, Castillo arranged for an Uber driver to drive her from Indiana to his New Jersey residence for $1,000 paid via CashApp. The plaintiff claims she was confined in a small room and sexually assaulted multiple times. The suit states that law enforcement located her through an Instagram login linked to Castillo's address and arrested him.
Castillo pleaded guilty in 2023 to transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and coercion and enticement of a minor, and he is serving a 15-year federal prison sentence.
The lawsuit alleges that months before the incident, users on Roblox and Discord reported "DoctorRofatnik" for sending sexual messages to minors, including screenshots shared online. " In January 2022, The Guardian published an article detailing Castillo's behavior, including messages to multiple underage girls.
According to the suit, Roblox and Discord did not investigate adequately, allowing Castillo to create new accounts and transfer game ownership to continue receiving payments from Roblox. The plaintiff contacted Castillo in January 2022 as a fan of his Roblox game, and they communicated via Discord, phone, and text.
The suit states Castillo sent her gifts worth thousands of dollars, including food deliveries via DoorDash, art tools, and a tablet.
The lawsuit describes sexual messages from Castillo discussing topics such as showering together, making love, having children, fingering, oral sex, and her hymen. In April 2022, he reportedly stated, "Now I just need to make you a woman in the bedroom," and assured her she was not too young, saying he would "deflower" her.
Between April and May 2022, Castillo coordinated the 10-hour drive with an Uber driver for the off-platform trip. Upon arrival, the suit alleges Castillo confined her to a room with a mattress on the floor and controlled her access to food and water.
He reportedly used Uber to attempt purchases of Plan B pills and hair dye. The plaintiff alleges suffering emotional distress, psychological trauma, and mental anguish.
The suit accuses Roblox and Discord of ignoring warnings about Castillo's history and failing to block him effectively. It also alleges Uber failed to train drivers on risks of off-platform rides for minors. Roblox reported 82.9 million daily active users in 2024, with about 56% aged 5 to 16.
The platform has introduced age-based accounts with parental controls to address illicit activity. The lawsuit is part of multiple cases against Roblox, including a September wrongful death suit by a mother alleging her 15-year-old son was coerced into sending explicit photos on Roblox and Discord.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
5 events- Friday
Lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Roblox, Discord, and Uber.
1 sourceNew York Post - 2023
Arnold Castillo pleaded guilty and began serving a 15-year federal prison sentence.
1 sourceNew York Post - April-May 2022
Castillo arranged an off-platform Uber ride to transport the 15-year-old from Indiana to New Jersey, where she was confined and assaulted.
1 sourceNew York Post - January 2022
The plaintiff contacted Castillo via Roblox, leading to communications on Discord and phone.
1 sourceNew York Post - January 2022
The Guardian published an article on Castillo's predatory behavior toward minors.
1 sourceNew York Post
Potential Impact
- 01
Roblox and Discord may face increased scrutiny and potential policy changes to enhance child safety features.
- 02
Uber could implement new training programs for drivers regarding off-platform rides involving minors.
- 03
Additional lawsuits against the companies may follow, based on the pattern of similar cases mentioned.
- 04
Public awareness of online grooming risks could rise, prompting parental monitoring of children's app usage.
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