Craig Webre is warning parents to closely monitor their children’s online activity following a cybercrime investigation involving a teenage girl in Lafourche Parish.
According to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, the case began after a juvenile was contacted online by 24-year-old Landen Westfall of Athens.
Investigators say the two initially met while playing the popular online platform Roblox, which allows users to chat during gameplay. What began as in-game communication allegedly progressed to conversations on other platforms and eventually to video calls.
Authorities say that during those interactions, Westfall became verbally abusive and threatening. He is accused of coercing the girl into harming herself and encouraging her to take her own life on two separate occasions.
Sheriff Webre said the case highlights how quickly online gaming interactions can escalate into dangerous situations when adults exploit minors through digital platforms.
With assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Birmingham Field Office and the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, investigators gathered evidence and secured a warrant for Westfall’s arrest.
He was taken into custody on February 9, 2026, in Alabama and transported to Lafourche Parish. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex.
Westfall faces:
Two counts of criminal assistance to suicide
261 counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile
15 counts of pornography involving a juvenile
His bond has been set at $750,000.
Sheriff Webre emphasized that this case should serve as a wake-up call for parents.
Roblox reportedly has approximately 380 million monthly users, with as many as 150 million daily users during peak traffic days. With such large user bases, law enforcement officials say online gaming platforms can create opportunities for predators to communicate directly with children.
Authorities also warn of a rise in cases where adults manipulate minors into sharing personal information, login credentials or payment details — leading to financial exploitation and other criminal activity.
Sheriff Webre urges parents to:
Regularly monitor their children’s online interactions
Review privacy settings and chat features on gaming platforms
Talk openly with their children about online safety
Report suspicious behavior to law enforcement immediately
“This case underscores the importance of staying actively involved in your child’s digital life,” Webre said, stressing that prevention and awareness remain key tools in protecting children from online harm.
