FBI Targets 764 Network: Man Faces 30 Years for Cyberstalking, CSAM – Source:hackread.com

SUMMARY

• Arrest and Charges: Baron Martin, 20, arrested for producing child sexual abuse material and cyberstalking, linked to extremist networks 764 and CVLT.

• Disturbing Crimes: Accused of coercing minors into self-mutilation, creating abuse material, and plotting violence against victims and their families.

• 764 Network: The extremist group uses child exploitation to normalize violence and promote societal collapse, flagged as a major threat by the DoJ.

• Potential Penalties: Martin faces up to 40 years in prison for his crimes, alongside fines and possible lifetime supervised release.

• Law Enforcement Response: FBI and DoJ emphasize vigilance and programs like Project Safe Childhood to combat online child exploitation.

A 20-year-old Tucson man, Baron Martin, has been arrested for producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and cyberstalking offences linked to his involvement in online violent extremist networks known as 764 and CVLT, reveals an unsealed complaint by the Department of Justice (DoJ).

The complaint details a disturbing pattern of behaviour by 764 members. They allegedly target vulnerable youth online, force them into self-harm, and spread the abuse to desensitize victims and normalize violence. Martin, who allegedly used the online alias “Convict,” is accused of:

• Creating a guide on how to identify, groom, and extort children: Martin is accused of creating child sex abuse content on Discord in September 2022 by having two minors self-mutilate for him, with one child having his name cut into their chest, stomach, and thighs, and directing them to cut swastikas and satanic symbols.

• Forcing two minors (aged 13 and 16) to self-mutilate on Discord: Martin allegedly directed a 16-year-old victim on Discord to self-injury, drawing blood, and pouring alcohol over the wounds. Martin sent three videos of the abuse to another user

• Cyberstalking a 13-year-old by threatening her grandmother and soliciting her murder: Martin is accused of cyberstalking a 13-year-old girl in September 2022, threatening her grandmother, and soliciting her murder. He agreed to pay $3,000 for the kidnapping and murder, and in a separate chat, posted the girl’s and her grandmother’s phone numbers for harassment.

If convicted, Martin faces up to 30 years in prison for producing CSAM and up to 10 years for cyberstalking, along with significant fines and potential lifetime supervised release.

764 Network Described as “Dangerous” by DoJ

According to the DoJ’s press release, it considers the 764 network a huge threat. “764 is a dangerous network of violent extremists who systematically target children and use child sexual abuse material to further their agenda of societal collapse,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen.

The FBI is leading the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona and the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. 

It is worth noting that Martin is not the only alleged member of the notorious 764 network to face legal action. In November 2024, Richard Anthony Reyna Densmore, 47, of Kaleva, Michigan, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on charges related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

The arrest of Baron Martin shows the problematic reality of online extremism and grooming and its devastating impact on vulnerable youth. This issue extends beyond the U.S., with the U.K. facing similar challenges, particularly on platforms like Snapchat. According to a report by a U.K. charity, half of all online child grooming cases now occur on Snapchat.

The 764 network’s calculated targeting of children and their use of child sexual abuse material to further their extremist ideology emphasises the urgent need for increased vigilance and law enforcement efforts to combat such threats. 

US Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona stressed the importance of Project Safe Childhood (PCS), a US-based initiative targeting child sexual exploitation, and encouraged parents and children to seek help if they encounter online predators.

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