New York City / Rochester, N.Y. --- In a first of its kind agreement, New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and the makers of online video gaming systems have agreed to purge all registered sex offenders from these gaming networks.
In New York State 3,580 gaming accounts belonging to registered sex offenders have been purged as a result of this “Operation: Game Over.”
At the announcement of this agreement in New York City Thursday morning A.G. Schneideman referenced a Monroe County case that served as a driving force for this initiative.
In March Richard Kretovic, 19 of Greece, pled guilty to charges that accused him of enticing a 12-year-old boy into sexual encounters. Kretovic met the boy in online chats through the Xbox LIVE video game system. After months of earning the boy’s trust, Kretovic invited him over to his house where the abuse occurred.
“In Monroe County we have seen dangerous people use gaming platforms to lure unsuspecting children,” Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley stated in a press released issued by A.G. Schneiderman’s office Thursday. “As predators seek new ways to cause harm, Operation: Game Over provides a new shield to protect our families.”
“We must ensure online video game systems do not become a digital playground for dangerous predators,” Attorney General Schneiderman stated. “I applaud all the companies participating in this first-of-its-kind initiative for taking online safety seriously and purging their networks of sex offenders.”
Last year 13WHAM News showed how these online video gaming systems have been used by sexual predators across the country. In some cases the offender traveled across state borders to meet up with underage victims that were groomed through online video game encounters.
The companies joining this agreement with A.G. Schneiderman are:
Microsoft (Xbox LIVE)
Apple
Blizzard
Electronic Arts
Disney
Warner Bros.
Sony (Playstation 3)
