Maine teen tied to violent 764 group is sentenced to prison for child sexual exploitation

Key Points:

• A 17-year-old from Maine with ties to the violent 764 network has been sentenced to prison for sexually exploiting children, marking the first juvenile federal case linked to this extremist online group, the FBI announced.
• The 764 network, founded in 2021 by a Texas teenager, is known for coercing minors into sexual acts and violent crimes, with over 500 individuals nationwide under FBI investigation for connections to the group and its splinter factions.
• The teenager was convicted on multiple charges, including conspiracy to sexually exploit a child, sexual exploitation and enticement, cyberstalking, and identity theft, but their identity remains confidential due to juvenile privacy laws.
• FBI officials emphasized that age will not protect individuals involved in violent extremist crimes and urged parents to stay vigilant against the influence of such groups on vulnerable youth.
• The FBI described the network’s goal as creating social chaos and unrest through the exploitation and corruption of minors, highlighting the serious threat posed by these coordinated online extremist groups.