An Orlando middle school teacher was arrested on federal charges last week for allegedly enticing children to expose themselves to him during a video chat in exchange for virtual game currency.
On Thursday, February 6, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that 25-year-old Italo Rafael Brett Bonini has been arrested and charged with coercion or enticement of a minor using a facility of interstate commerce.
According to the criminal complaint, Bonini – a teacher at Hunter’s Creek Middle School (13400 Town Loop Boulevard in Orlando) – allegedly used the online communication platform Discord on Sunday, January 12, to have a video chat with two children who resided in Maryland. One of the children was 8 years old and the other child was 6 years old.
The complaint alleges that during the video chat, Bonini “offered currency in an online video game” in exchange for the two child victims to “show their genitalia.” One of the victims “complied with (Bonini’s) request” and pulled down their pants, displaying their genitals on screen.
Law enforcement reviewed messages from Bonini to the victims, which allegedly showed that Bonini had offered the virtual currency in exchange for the victims exposing themselves during the video chat.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) obtained a search warrant for Bonini’s Orlando residence and electronic devices. During the execution of that warrant, Bonini allegedly admitted to law enforcement that he used his desktop computer to “communicate with children” because they were “easier to talk to.”
Bonini also allegedly admitted to video chatting with the two victims on January 12.
A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
If convicted, Bonini faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Maryland State Police and Harford County Child Advocacy Center. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Cruz.
Additionally, this case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, which is a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.