DOJ Charges Five Men with Running “Child Exploitation Enterprise” Online
In a disturbing case that highlights the dark corners of the internet, the Department of Justice has charged five men from across the United States with operating an online “child exploitation enterprise” known as “Greggy’s Cult.” According to the recently unsealed indictment, Hector Bermudez (29) of Queens, Zachary Dosch (26) of Albuquerque, Rumaldo Valdez (22) of Honolulu, David Brilhante (28) of San Diego, and Camden Rodriguez (22) of Longmont allegedly used Discord servers to terrorize, blackmail, and coerce minors into what prosecutors describe as “horrific acts of self-harm.” The five individuals face serious charges including conspiracy to produce child pornography, conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, and conspiracy to communicate interstate threats. Following their arrests on Tuesday, they await arraignment in the Eastern District of New York.
The case reveals a troubling pattern of predatory behavior that took place between January 2020 and January 2021. Prosecutors described “Greggy’s Cult” as a “nightmarish platform on the internet” where the defendants allegedly engaged in “depraved conduct.” According to the indictment, this included encouraging victims to harm themselves in extreme ways and pressuring them into degrading sexual acts. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the seriousness of these allegations, stating that the defendants “targeted vulnerable children and others via online platforms—they exploited, threatened, and harassed them, and encouraged horrific acts of self-harm.” He added a stern warning to those involved in similar activities, asserting that the FBI will “find and hold accountable those who participate in these illegal and heinous acts.”
The methods allegedly employed by “Greggy’s Cult” members were sophisticated and predatory. The group reportedly found victims on popular gaming platforms like Roblox and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive before directing them to Discord servers or other video conferencing platforms. Once there, they allegedly coerced minors to “engage in sexually explicit or other degrading conduct” while capturing screenshots and recordings of this behavior. These materials were then shared among cult members and distributed to other Discord servers. The indictment further alleges that the defendants used various forms of extortion against their targets, including attempting to frame adult victims as pedophiles and sending malware to minors, which was then used as “leverage to get the victims to engage in degrading acts on camera.”
The psychological manipulation described in the indictment was particularly troubling. Prosecutors allege that the defendants convinced victims to commit acts of “degradation” to demonstrate loyalty to the group. This included having victims be “owned” by cult members or writing the names of cult members on their bodies—a practice referred to as “fansigning.” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York characterized the alleged conduct as “monstrous,” noting that children were “at times driven to the brink of suicide.” Attorney General Pam Bondi responded to the indictment by stating that “no child should ever be terrorized or exploited online, and no online platform should give refuge to predators,” emphasizing that the Department of Justice “will continue to protect children, support survivors, and hold accountable anyone who preys on the vulnerable.”
The case against “Greggy’s Cult” comes amid increased federal attention to online child exploitation networks. The DOJ noted that this group formed before the emergence of another network known as “764,” which has also become the target of an intensified FBI effort. Similar to “Greggy’s Cult,” members of “764” allegedly use popular platforms like Discord, Telegram, and Roblox to recruit and manipulate minors. Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti of the DOJ’s Criminal Division described the defendants’ alleged actions as an “unspeakable act of coercing and blackmailing children and adults to engage in self-harm and other degrading acts,” highlighting the severity with which federal authorities view these crimes.
This case underscores the growing challenges of keeping children safe in an increasingly connected digital world. The allegations against these five men reveal how predators can exploit online spaces originally designed for gaming and socializing to target vulnerable individuals, particularly minors. While platforms like Discord, Roblox, and others offer valuable opportunities for connection and entertainment, they can also provide cover for coordinated exploitation when safeguards fail. The investigation demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to pursuing those who use digital tools for harmful purposes, but also raises important questions about how online platforms can better protect users from organized predatory behavior. As the case against “Greggy’s Cult” proceeds through the justice system, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of digital literacy, parental oversight, and robust platform safety measures in protecting young people online.
