NORTH HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB) – A 19-year-old New London man was arrested Wednesday on charges he sexually assaulted a minor he met through an online gaming platform after misrepresenting his age.
Phillip Romero-Cruz was taken into custody Dec. 24 and charged with risk of injury to a minor, according to the North Haven Police Department.
The investigation began Oct. 2 when North Haven patrol officers responded to a residence following a report that an unknown adult male had befriended a juvenile through an online gaming platform and subsequently engaged in sexual activity with the minor.
Through multiple search warrants, interviews and collaboration with the Yale Child Study Center, detectives identified Romero-Cruz as the suspect.
An arrest warrant was prepared and approved following the investigation.
The North Haven Police Department urged parents and youth to practice safe online behaviors and remain vigilant when using online gaming and social media platforms.
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