A 19-year-old East Newark man has been arrested following an investigation into allegations that he used the popular online gaming platform Roblox to solicit explicit images from a 12-year-old girl in Ohio.
According to a statement released by Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello, Benjamin Martes was arrested Friday, November 6, by members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Internet Crimes <a href="https://comicvibe.com/commuting-cmu-faculty-weigh-rising-gas-prices-against-on/” title=”Commuting CMU faculty weigh rising gas prices against on”>Against Children Task Force.
Authorities said the investigation began in June 2026 after police in Colerain Township, Ohio, contacted Hudson County investigators regarding a case involving a 12-year-old girl who reportedly met an individual through Roblox.
Investigators allege the individual instructed the minor to create and send sexually explicit images. Martes was subsequently identified as the suspect, according to prosecutors.
Authorities also reported discovering explicit images of minors stored on electronic devices allegedly belonging to Martes.
Martes faces first-degree charges related to facilitating explicit images of minors and second-degree charges involving possession of the material.
He was taken into custody at his East Newark residence and transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his initial court appearance.
