Preston "Juv3nile" Dornon
Ruling
TL;DR
Riot Games completed an investigation into potential breaches of the Riot Games Esports Global Code of Conduct (“Global Code of Conduct”) by Preston “Juv3nile” Dornon. Based on available evidence, Riot Games determined that Juv3nile’s conduct breached Articles 4.1 (General Obligations) and 5.11 (Team Sanctions and the Role of Team Leadership) of the Global Code of Conduct. Juv3nile sent direct messages to over sixty (60) individuals on social media. Many of these messages went unanswered and included invitations to meet, suggestive or potentially inappropriate content, and references to Riot Games’ venue – raising concerns regarding blurred personal and professional boundaries. Aggravating factors include the volume and persistence of these messages, contact with at least one individual who is identified as a minor, Juv3nile’s position as a head coach, and an overall lack of duty of care regarding online safety. As a result, Juv3nile is suspended from all Riot-sanctioned competitions for twelve (12) months, effective April 4, 2025, and is required to complete an executive training on conduct, respect, and professionalism prior to re-entry into the ecosystem.
TIMELINE
The below is a summary of Riot Games’ findings. While Riot Games considered all the facts and evidence available at its disposal, the summary refers only to what Riot Games considers necessary to explain its reasoning.
On March 21, 2025, Riot Games became aware of allegations concerning inappropriate conduct by Juv3nile, after numerous individuals began posting screenshots on the social media platform “X” (“X”). The screenshots depicted unsolicited direct messages from Juv3nile, often including invitations to meet, offers of coaching sessions, suggestive language, and references to Riot Games’ venue. In many instances, the messages went unanswered. One account self-identified as underage, although this could not be independently verified. At that stage, Riot Games had identified approximately twenty-nine (29) individuals who had shared similar screenshots.
On March 25, 2025, Riot Games initiated disciplinary proceedings and notified Juv3nile, providing them an opportunity to respond.
On March 31, 2025, Juv3nile submitted a written statement accepting responsibility and expressing a commitment to improvement.
On April 1, 2025, Riot Games sent follow-up questions and additional evidence to Juv3nile, who responded the following day.
By the time of the decision, the total number of individuals sharing comparable screenshots had exceeded sixty (60), further reinforcing the scale and persistence of the outreach pattern.
RELEVANT RULES
Esports Professionals must abide by the Global Code of Conduct. In particular, the below provisions are relevant to the present case:
4.1 General Obligations.
Esports Professionals who participate in Riot Esports Competitions must at all times observe the highest standards of personal integrity and sporting conduct.
Esports Professionals are required to behave in a respectful manner in all of their interactions with other competitors, coaches, referees, tournament administrators, the media, sponsors, fans and other persons. Esports Professionals are also required to treat the property of Riot Games and others (including gaming equipment, recreation areas, work spaces, and other facilities) in a professional and responsible manner.
Esports Professionals must promptly comply with the decisions and instructions of Officials (particularly of referees) in a respectful and non-combative manner. Any objections or concerns should be raised through the appropriate channels after compliance.
5.11 Team Sanctions and the Role of Team Leadership.
If a particular Riot game title is played by teams, the team may be subject to disciplinary action based on the conduct of its Esports Professionals.
Team owners, coaches, managers, and any individuals in positions of authority within the Riot Esports Ecosystem may be held to a higher standard of conduct, given their influence in fostering and maintaining a positive esports ecosystem.
RULING
Riot Games considered the specific circumstances of this case, including the factual evidence, the severity of the conduct, and relevant aggravating and mitigating factors. The findings are primarily based on screenshots and publicly available information shared by users on X. These materials were presented to Juv3nile during the disciplinary proceedings. Riot Games assessed the consistency and authenticity of the screenshots, and Juv3nile did not contest their validity. Juv3nile also submitted additional materials, which were reviewed alongside the public evidence.
REASONING
Riot Games considered that the below constituted the most relevant factual findings:
Volume and Pattern of Outreach: Juv3nile sent unsolicited direct messages to over 60 individuals he did not know or have prior interactions with, reflecting a sustained and concerning pattern of outreach.
Nature and Content of Messages: Many messages included offers of gifts, coaching sessions, and direct invitations to meet in person – often referencing Riot Games’ venue – with little or no prior conversation. Some messages contained language that Riot Games considered suggestive or inappropriate, particularly in the context of unsolicited communications.
Interaction with Individuals Identifying as Minors: Riot Games could not independently verify the age of all individuals, however, at least one recipient had indicated in their profile that they were a minor. In another instance, the recipient disclosed their age after numerous messages, whereby Juv3nile ceased communication. Based on the evidence reviewed, it did not appear that Juv3nile was specifically targeting minors. However, his reckless behavior constituted a disregard for online communication safety.
Continued, Unreciprocated Outreach: A significant portion of the messages received no response, yet in some instances, Juv3nile continued to reach out, reflecting a pattern of repeated communication despite little or no engagement.
Invitation to Riot Games’ Venue: Juv3nile referenced Riot Games’ venue in several messages. This use of professional affiliation in a personal context blurred professional boundaries.
The significant volume and persistence of unsolicited communications, combined with references to Riot Games’ affiliation in a personal context and the inclusion of language that Riot Games considered inconsistent with its professional standards, reflected conduct that did not align with Riot Games’ values of integrity, inclusivity, respect, and professionalism.
Of particular concern was the disregard for online safety. Juv3nile contacted individuals without prior knowledge of their ages and did not take reasonable steps to consider or clarify this before initiating engagements. This lack of precaution reflects a serious lapse in judgment and failure to exercise the level of care.particularly for someone in a leadership role.
As head coach of a VCT Pacific team, Juv3nile holds a position of authority and influence within the Riot Games esports ecosystem. Under Article 5.11, coaches and individuals in leadership roles are held to a higher standard of conduct due to their responsibility as role models and their expectations to foster a safe, inclusive, and trustworthy environment.
In light of the above, Riot Games concluded that, based on the evidence available, Juv3nile’s conduct was considered to be gross misconduct and constituted a serious violation of Articles 4.1 and 5.11 of the Global Code of Conduct.
SANCTION
In view of the above, Juv3nile is sanctioned with a twelve (12) month suspension from all Riot Games-sanctioned competitions, effective April 4th, 2025.
Furthermore, Juv3nile is required to complete an executive training focused on conduct, respect, and professionalism. The training must be provided by an independent and renowned third-party service provider that is unaffiliated with Juv3nile. To ensure that the training provider and program Juv3nile has identified meets the expectations described above, Juv3nile must receive prior written approval from the league. Juv3nile is further required to provide evidence of completion.
Failure to comply with the above training requirements before seeking reentry into the Riot Games esports ecosystem may result in further disciplinary actions against Juv3nile and his current or future team.
Upon issuance of this ruling, the matter is considered closed; the ruling is final and cannot be appealed. However, if new, substantive evidence comes to light, it may warrant a review of the matter at the discretion of Riot Games.