TikTok star Luke Rockwell arrested for sex abuse of a minor in Thailand
US TikTok star and teacher Luke Rockwell has been arrested in Thailand for allegedly having sex with a minor — and recording it, according to local police.
Rockwell, 29, who has 1.3 million followers on TikTok, was booked Sunday in the Wattana District after a mom accused the Florida man of having sex with her 16-year-old daughter while he was teaching kids English in Bangkok, the Bangkok Post reports.
The mother, who was not publicly identified, told police Rockwell and her daughter had been messaging each other before the relationship turned physical. The pair had known each other for about five months.
The influencer also allegedly filmed their sexual encounters, according to the complaint obtained by the Bangkok Post.
After finding out about Rockwell and her child’s alleged relationship, the mother contacted the Department of Welfare For Children and Women, who joined officers from the Khlong Tan station to take the English teacher into custody.
The mom allegedly found out about the crime when her daughter fell ill with abdominal pains caused by chlamydia and gonorrhea that she contracted through Rockwell, the Daily Mail reported.
“My daughter said the first time they had sex, Teacher Luke used protection but after he did not use any. She trusted him,” the mother told the Mail.
“Teacher Luke told her to keep everything a secret until she turned 18. He told my daughter that he loved her and would let her come live with him when she’s no longer a minor,” she added.
Police have not commented or confirmed the allegations that Rockwell gave the minor STDs. Officials said an investigation into Rockwell is still ongoing.
Although the age of consent in Thailand is 15, anyone under 18 is still considered a minor under the law, with Rockwell accused of “taking a minor over 15 years but not over 18 years of age away from a parent, guardian or caregiver without justifiable cause for obscenity.”
He faces up to 10 years in prison and fines of about $560 USD.
Rockwell’s once prominent social media presence has been set to private following his arrest. The Florida resident gained a huge following on TikTok, where he would share clips of himself teaching English.
Rockwell was notably the center of controversy in 2021 when he uploaded videos claiming that the Philippines was among the most racist countries in the world.
The hashtag #CancelTeacherLuke, spread on TikTok following the controversial video and Rockwell’s defense of it.
