A California man pleaded guilty on Friday to using the mobile game Clash of Clans to coerce a minor into producing child pornography, according to the Department of Justice. Emilio Morales, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of coercion and enticement of a minor into illegal sexual activity. According to admissions made in connection with his guilty plea, Morales met his 11-year-old victim while playing Clash and began grooming him the chat function of the game before proposing that they communicate privately over Kik Messenger. While communicating over Kik, Morales persuaded the victim to produce and send him sexually explicit images and videos. The conduct ceased when, despite Morales’s attempts at manipulation, the victim refused to participate in any further sexual activity, according to the DOJ. Morales’ sentencing is scheduled for May 31.
