A Pennsylvania man is facing charges in Hall County for trying to meet up with a Hall County boy he met on the popular video game "Fortnite."
Gregory Mancini, 29, of Erie, Penn. allegedly met the 13-year-old victim over Xbox Live back in October, and began video chatting with the boy, said Derreck Booth, Hall County Sheriff's Office spokesman, in a statement.
"As the contact continued, the man said that he planned to travel to metro Atlanta and wanted to meet with the boy," said Booth.
"Realizing the danger of the situation, the victim told his mother, who notified law enforcement."
At that point, sheriff's deputies took over the boy's account, and continued communication with Mancini, arranging a meeting Nov. 2 in South Hall County.
"Very limited information was provided as to the identification of the suspect or his vehicle. At one point, undercover officers pulled next to a suspicious vehicle, but the man behind the wheel drove off," said Booth.
Deputies, posing as the 13-year-old once again, arranged a new meeting location. Mancini told them he was "spooked," but was returning to the area.
"A short time later, the same suspicious vehicle arrived at the new location. Investigators made contact with the vehicle and occupant, identified as Mancini," and took him into custody, said Booth.
Mancini was booked into the Hall County Jail Nov. 3 on charges of attempted child molestation and obscene internet contact with a child.
He bonded out of jail Nov. 8 on $16,900 bond.
