The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has intensified its efforts to dismantle the ‘764’ network, a child-exploitation group that has been targeting minors aged 11 to 15. Recent arrests in Baltimore and Arizona underscore the federal authorities’ intensified focus on this dangerous online community. In a post on X, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino highlighted how the network has infiltrated spaces popular with minors and emphasized the urgency with which the FBI is addressing the issue.
The ‘764’ network, founded in 2021 by Bradley ‘Felix’ Cadenhead, a Texas teenager who operated a group called CVLT, is named after the ZIP code of his hometown. The FBI has stated that more than 300 investigations are ongoing concerning this network nationally, with the number continuing to rise. The network has expanded into a broader ecosystem of violent online spaces known as ‘The COM,’ which includes platforms such as Discord, Telegram, and Roblox that it uses to recruit and manipulate young people.
Bongino shared details of a recent case in Baltimore where an individual was arrested and charged with targeting five minors, including a 13-year-old, and is currently in federal custody. In Arizona, an indictment revealed that an individual is facing charges as an affiliate of the network. The victims in these cases were between the ages of 11 and 15, with allegations ranging from distributing child pornography to cyberstalking and animal crushing. Some of the charges also included conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.
Parents are urged to remain vigilant as the FBI continues its operations to dismantle this network. Bongino emphasized that the situation is a critical issue within America and that increased awareness and action from all families are essential. He also reiterated the FBI’s commitment to addressing this threat and emphasized that the network remains a top priority in the agency’s mission. The FBI has stated it will continue its efforts to eliminate the ‘764’ network, which it has identified as a growing and significant threat.