Man Used Snapchat To Target Teens, Sexually Abuse Them: Roswell Police

ROSWELL, GA — A 21-year-old Ellenwood man is in jail after being accused of using the social media app, Snapchat, to target teenagers online and sexually abuse them in Roswell.

Authorities began investigating Lorenzo Abarca in August after a juvenile told a mandated reporter they were sexually assaulted, Roswell Police said Friday.

The juvenile connected with Abarca through Snapchat, and police said when they were together in person, the juvenile was sexually abused. Abarca was accused of victimizing and exploiting the teenager.

Through the investigation, police said four more victims who connected with Abarca on Snapchat were identified.

The teenagers had been sexually exploited online, and some of them had been physically abused, police said. Additionally, police said Abarca gave drugs and alcohol to the teenagers.

Abarca on Wednesday was arrested on charges of obscene internet contact with a child, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor and sodomy, police said.

Fulton County Jail records showed Abarca remained incarcerated on Friday and was additionally charged with child molestation, sexual battery of a minor and enticing a child for indecent purposes.

"This case is a stark example of how quickly online interaction can turn into real-world harm. We strongly encourage parents to take an active role in their child’s online safety, and want to share some tips and reminders toward those ends," police said in a news release.

Police shared the following tips:

• Talk openly: Have conversations with your teens about who they are talking to online and the risks of sharing personal information. Creating a safe space for them to share their concerns can be the most effective defense against online predators.
• Set expectations: Establish clear rules for social media use, including privacy settings and approved apps.
• Check in regularly: Monitor their online activity and know their passwords. This is not about a lack of trust; it's about keeping them safe.
• Warn them about meeting strangers: Emphasize that they should never meet in person with someone they only know from online interactions.