Federal agents have arrested a Coconut Creek private-school employee who investigators say used Discord chats and Roblox's virtual currency, Robux, to pressure children, some younger than 12, into sending explicit photos and videos. The suspect, 26-year-old Evan Michael Sands of Tamarac, is being held on federal charges that include possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material and enticement of a minor. School officials say he will not return to campus and that, so far, investigators have found no evidence that any currently enrolled students were caught up in the alleged scheme.
How investigators say it unfolded
According to federal court records, the case started when Discord flagged an account that appeared to be trading child sexual abuse videos and forwarded a report to authorities. Investigators later linked that account, using the handle "astraldrag0n," to Sands. The criminal complaint alleges he repeatedly messaged minors, offered Robux as payment for sexually explicit images, and sent explicit videos of himself in those conversations. Those allegations, and other details from the court filings, were first laid out by the Miami Herald.
Search warrant, seized phone and arrest
Agents executed a search warrant at a Tamarac residence in the 8100 block of Northwest 105th Avenue, where they say they seized a phone that contained more than 20 images and videos described in court documents as child sexual abuse material. Authorities say they stopped Sands as he was leaving the home just before the raid, then booked him into the Broward County Main Jail on behalf of the U.S. Marshals Service. Prosecutors have charged him with two counts tied to possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material and one count of enticement of a minor, according to WPLG-Local 10.
In a written statement, Randazzo School leaders said they were "shocked and saddened" by the accusations and confirmed that the staff member "will not be returning to our school." Administrators added that they are cooperating with federal authorities and, based on information from the U.S. Marshals, there is currently no indication that any of their students were involved or harmed, as reported by the Miami Herald.
What the charges could mean
The case now moves through federal court, where prosecutors can ask that Sands remain behind bars while the case is pending and present the complaint and digital evidence to a judge. The counts are tied to federal laws that cover child sexual abuse material and online enticement of minors, including 18 U.S.C. § 2252 and 18 U.S.C. § 2422. The possible penalties, including mandatory minimum prison terms in certain situations, are outlined by Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute and its separate entry on 18 U.S.C. § 2422 at the Legal Information Institute.
What parents and schools should watch for
Many online exploitation cases begin when tech platforms submit reports to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline. NCMEC staff review those tips and pass them along to the appropriate law enforcement agencies so investigators can follow up. The organization urges parents and school officials to save screenshots or messages as evidence, report any suspicious online contact through the CyberTipline, and make use of built-in safety tools on apps and games. Roblox, for example, highlights age-based settings and parental controls that can limit who can contact kids and how in-game currency is used, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and recent safety updates outlined by Roblox.
Court records indicate Sands was scheduled to appear in federal court in Fort Lauderdale, where prosecutors were expected to ask that he be detained while the case proceeds. The charges remain allegations at this stage, and Sands is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court. Investigators are still encouraging anyone who might have information relevant to the case to come forward, according to WPLG-Local 10.
