*** Warning: Some readers may find details of the case included below disturbing.
In a chilling case that has come to light, a 20-year-old from Monroe County, known as Destin Angel Petrides, has been charged with multiple offenses due to his disturbing interactions with a young Canadian boy he met through the online gaming platform Roblox.
According to an arrest affidavit, Petrides coerced the 13-year-old into a series of harrowing choices, including suicide and potential violence. The boy, who survived two suicide attempts, detailed the extent of Petrides’ manipulation and threats.
Allegations and Charges
Petrides faces serious charges, including attempted murder, aiding suicide, and sexual abuse of children. He is accused of forcing the boy into self-harm and creating sexually explicit content under duress.
The affidavit also highlights that Petrides, who referred to himself as “Star,” had a disturbing admiration for infamous historical figures such as Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini.
Manipulation and Coercion
The situation began on Roblox, where Petrides offered the victim a job as a developer and moved their conversations to Discord, a chat app. He manipulated the boy into providing personal information and coerced him into various harmful activities, including false reporting to police — a tactic known as “swatting.”
Further coercion involved Petrides demanding nude photos by threatening to reveal the boy’s false allegations to authorities. This manipulation extended to controlling the boy’s online presence and forcing him into self-mutilation as both punishment and supposed repentance.
Escalation and Threats
The coercion escalated to Petrides pushing for extreme actions, including school shootings or suicide, presenting these as the only options to prevent the spread of the boy’s nude photos. Petrides even attempted to send equipment to facilitate such violence.
Investigation and Arrest
Authorities tracked Petrides through online activity, leading to his arrest. Evidence collected included a thumb drive containing disturbing images and plans related to the extortion and manipulation of the victim.
Petrides was denied bail following his arrest, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for September 24. Efforts to contact relevant authorities for further comment have not been successful, and the reasons for the affidavit’s initial secrecy remain unclear.
