Anthony Gene Thomas, 41, was arrested Thursday in Broward County, Florida

He is facing dozens of charges for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old girl he met through the popular online video game Fortnite

Officials say they were introduced by a 23-year-old female co-conspirator

Thomas and the woman brought the victim to his house for sex on August 25

Police found her the following day after her parents reported her missing

Authorities have asked for the public's help in identifying additional victims

Anthony Gene Thomas, 41, was arrested Thursday in Broward County, Florida, and is facing dozens of charges for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old girl he met through the popular online video game Fortnite. Authorities say there could be as many as 20 additional victims

A Florida man accused of having sex with an underage girl he met through the popular online video game Fortnite could have as many as 20 additional victims, authorities say.

ADVERTISEMENT

Anthony Gene Thomas, 41, was arrested on charges including unlawful sex with a minor and child pornography on Thursday, according to the Florida Attorney General's Office.

Officials say the 17-year-old victim initially had contact with a 23-year-old woman, described as a co-conspirator by police, who then introduced her to Thomas through Fortnite.

'While communicating through the online platform, the victim expressed hardships at home,' a press release from the Attorney General's office said.

'In response, Thomas manipulated the victim with gifts, including credit cards and a cellphone to be in direct and primary communication with each other.'

Thomas and the woman then arranged to pick up the teen from her home in Brevard County and bring her to his home in Broward County on August 25, 2018.

Once at Thomas' home, the suspect allegedly engaged in sexual activity with the girl, who is a minor under Florida state law.

Her parents notified authorities that she was missing, and police discovered her in Broward County the following day.

Thomas and the victim kept in contact for the next couple of weeks until police issued a search warrant on October 11.

Pornographic photos and videos of the victim were found on Thomas' phone, according to authorities.

Thomas and the woman who introduced the pair, who is referred to as a co-conspirator in the release, arranged to bring the 17-year-old up to his home in Broward County on August 25, 2018. Once at Thomas' home, the suspect allegedly engaged in sexual activity with the girl, who is a minor under Florida state law. The housing complex where he lived is pictured above

Click here to resize this module

Thomas is facing charges of soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computers, traveling to meet a minor for unlawful sexual activity, possession with intention to promote sexual performance of a child, 22 counts of child pornography and unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

The charges were filed in Brevard County, where the victim resides.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said in the news release: 'This case is disturbing not only because it involves child pornography, but also because a popular online game was used to communicate with the victim.

'We have reason to believe there could be additional victims, and I am asking anyone with information about the recruiting of minors for child pornography, or any other type of sexual exploitation, to call law enforcement immediately.

'Additionally, parents need to know that predators will use any means possible to target and exploit a child. I am asking parents and guardians to please make sure you know who your children meet online, and talk to them about sexual predators.'

ADVERTISEMENT

Anyone with information about this case is urged to call Broward County detectives at (954) 888-5241.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody expressed concern that Thomas could have targeted additional victims through Fortnite. A scene from the popular game is shown above