Avondale Man Indicted for Raping 11-Year-Old Met Through Online Game

Chevalier Adams, a 39-year-old man from Avondale, has been indicted on multiple charges including three counts of rape, kidnapping, importuning, and grooming after allegedly assaulting an 11-year-old girl he met through the online game Zepeto. Adams reportedly began an online text-based relationship with the girl in February and picked her up from her home in July, driving her to his residence where the assault occurred. Prosecutors warned that online predators increasingly use video game chats and digital platforms to target young people and urged parents to monitor their children's online interactions closely. Adams faces up to 26 years in prison if convicted and is currently held at the Hamilton County Justice Center on a $100,000 bond. Zepeto states that it uses a combination of AI and human moderation to monitor user-generated content and detect grooming behaviors, though this incident raises concerns about the effectiveness of such measures. Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich emphasized the need for vigilance and open conversations about internet safety to protect children from such dangers.