NEW — From FBI Deputy Director
@dbongino :
"The Director and I, in conjunction with our employees in the field, have emphasized taking down the “764 network” – and I want to update you on a couple of the latest cases.
For those who may not know, the 764 Network is a heinous child exploitation ring that often targets children online and coerces them into acts of violence – self harm, animal abuse, suicide, and sexual abuse. At the beginning of the year, our teams redoubled our efforts to go after these networks and eliminate them. We have more than 300 investigations connected to this network going on nationwide, as we speak, and that number is growing. It is a top priority for us.
Out of FBI Baltimore - recently our teams worked with partners to arrest an individual who had allegedly targeted 5 victims – one as young as 13. The individual is now in federal custody, and we expect more information to be released on this case soon.
Out of Arizona - recently, we had another case – where an indictment revealed an individual in federal custody had been found allegedly targeting kids as an affiliate of 764. The 9 victims involved were between 11-15 years old. Some of the allegations involve distributing child pornography, cyberstalking, animal crushing, and even conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.
I cannot emphasize enough - this is a major issue in America that not enough people know about. We are asking all parents to please be on guard – check in with your kids and monitor their internet usage. Consider your options for putting safeguards in place that limit what these networks can reach.
In the meantime, this FBI will keep working day and night to destroy this network. It is a top priority. We are making progress, but the work isn’t done.
God bless America, and all those who defend Her."