A missing 16-year-old girl from Ohio has been found in Florida with the help of the popular online game World of Warcraft.
The FBI reached out to the Marion County Sheriff's Office asking for help to find the teenager, according to a Facebook post by the sheriff's office in north-central Florida.
Investigators discovered the girl's account for World of Warcraft was active at a residence in Dunnellon, Florida, the post said.
World of Warcraft, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), is a video game where millions of players can develop their characters and interact together in a virtual environment.
Dunnellon, where the girl was found, is located about 120km north of Tampa, Florida.
Authorities said the residence was also the home of Thomas Ebersole, 31, whose World of Warcraft account was also logged in at the same location.
Ebersole denied knowing the 16-year-old at first, but later allegedly admitted he had driven to Ohio to meet up with the 16-year-old and take her back to Dunnellon.
He was arrested for allegedly travelling to meet a minor to engage in sexual activity, interfering with child custody, and sheltering an unmarried minor, according to CNN.
"Ebersole provided Detective (Henrik) Osthed with Discord messages that further outlined his plans to meet the victim in Ohio and engage in sexual activity despite knowing that he was committing a crime," authorities said in the Facebook post.
The man also stated he was in a romantic relationship with the juvenile victim and was going to hide her in his home with plans for her to become his wife.
He has been transported to the Marion County Jail and is being held without bond.
Ebersole's next court date is February 6. CNN reported they were unable to determine if he has been appointed or retained legal representation at this time.
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