Tucson case first in nation to pursue federal terrorism charges against member of 764

When 19-year-old Baron Martin was cited for a fender bender in Tucson two and a half years ago, federal agents say he was already deep into the world of 764.

Agents say Martin joined the online network in 2019 and is now tied to crimes that could keep him locked up for life.

Behind closed doors from his keyboard in Tucson, detectives say he went by the name “Convict,” targeting kids as young as 11 in the U.S. and overseas. Agents say he blackmailed them to carve his name into their bodies, kill their pets and live stream acts of extreme violence.

Timothy Courchaine, U.S. attorney for the District of Arizona, filed a 29-count indictment against Martin.

“Getting children to violently self-harm, getting children to kill themselves and commit suicide, or specifically in this case as well, allegedly put a hit out on a grandmother,” he said.

It is the first case in the country pursuing terrorism charges against a member of the group 764, conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.

Heith Janke, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Phoenix field office, said 764 is “pure evil.” The FBI has seen a 490% increase in these cases in the past year as members of 764 and other splinter groups scout platforms designed for children, like Roblox, for their next victim.

Agents say Martin wrote the “Grooming/Manipulation Egirls Guide.”

Read more: AZ Family