YouTuber Banned for Helping Arrest 6 Child Predators
In August 2025, Roblox permanently banned Michael 'Schlep,' a 22-year-old YouTuber who helped law enforcement arrest 6 child predators on the platform, sparking the #FreeSchlep movement and investigations by Chris Hansen.
Timeline of Events
Schlep Starts Content Creation
Michael begins creating Roblox content on YouTube
Predator Hunter Series Begins
Schlep launches his 'Roblox Predator' series, motivated by his own experience as a victim
Law Enforcement Collaboration
Working with police, Schlep's investigations lead to 6 confirmed arrests of predators
Cease & Desist Letter
Roblox sends legal letter demanding Schlep stop his predator hunting activities
Permanent Ban
Roblox permanently bans Schlep from the platform, citing policy violations
#FreeSchlep Movement
Massive social media campaign and protests support Schlep, including real-world demonstrations
Chris Hansen Investigation
To Catch a Predator host announces investigation into Roblox predator problem
Legal Challenges Mount
Louisiana AG files lawsuit, Congressional petition reaches 230K signatures
Ongoing Developments
Continued legal proceedings, policy changes by Roblox, and media coverage
Background Information
Who is Schlep?
Michael 'Schlep' is a 22-year-old YouTuber from Texas who became a predator hunter after his own experience as a childhood grooming victim on Roblox. His investigations, conducted in collaboration with law enforcement, have resulted in 6 confirmed arrests of predators targeting children on the platform.
The Roblox Platform
Roblox is a massively popular gaming platform with over 400 million monthly users, primarily children and teenagers. The platform allows users to create games and interact with others, but has faced ongoing criticism for inadequate child safety measures.
Schlep's Methodology
Working directly with law enforcement agencies, Schlep documented evidence of predatory behavior and turned it over to police for prosecution. This collaborative approach led to successful arrests and convictions, making his work both effective and legally sound.
The Controversy
Despite his track record of helping arrest predators, Roblox sent Schlep a cease and desist letter and then permanently banned him from the platform, claiming his activities violated their policies. This action sparked massive backlash and the #FreeSchlep movement.
Legal Developments
Louisiana Attorney General Lawsuit
Liz Murrill files lawsuit alleging Roblox prioritizes profits over child safety
Congressional Petition
Rep. Ro Khanna launches petition calling for action, reaches 230K+ signatures
CEO Resignation Petition
230K+ signatures calling for David Baszucki to fix issues or resign
Family Lawsuits
Multiple families file suits alleging children were groomed/exploited via Roblox
Community Response
#FreeSchlep Movement
A massive grassroots movement emerged supporting Schlep, including:
- Virtual protests within Roblox games
- Real-world demonstrations including at the US Capitol
- Social media campaigns across multiple platforms
- Over 230K petition signatures demanding justice
Creator Support
Major content creators have shown support:
- KreekCraft withdrew from Roblox Stars Program in protest
- JiDion publicly supported Schlep's cause
- Many other creators have spoken out against the ban
Market Impact
The controversy has had real financial consequences:
- Roblox stock dropped 9-10% during the peak of the controversy
- Negative publicity has affected investor confidence
- Calls for boycotts of the platform
Resources
Parent Safety Guide
- Monitor your child's online gaming activities
- Set up parental controls and privacy settings
- Educate children about online predator tactics
- Report suspicious behavior immediately
- Keep communication open with your children
Get Legal Help
If your child has been affected by predatory behavior on gaming platforms, consider contacting legal professionals who specialize in child safety and online exploitation cases.