Maine Teenager Is First Juvenile in the Nation to Be Federally Charged, Adjudicated, and Detained for Acts Related to Nihilistic Violent Extremist Groups in the 764 Network

A 17-year-old from Maine is the first juvenile in the United States to be federally charged and adjudicated for acts of juvenile delinquency related to the teen’s role in online nihilistic extremist groups (NVE) connected to the 764 network. The juvenile was found to have committed multiple acts of juvenile delinquency, including conspiring to sexually exploit a child, sexually exploiting and enticing a child, distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), sending interstate threats, cyberstalking victims, and identity theft.

The teen, whose identity is not being revealed because the Juvenile Delinquency Act prohibits its disclosure, will serve a term of official detention to be followed by juvenile delinquent supervision.

“This first-in-the-nation case should make it crystal clear that if you conspire to commit violent, extremist crimes, your age will not shield you from accountability. What this juvenile did would shock most people to their very core, and it is our hope that by publicizing this case, others will be deterred from making the same devastating choices this teen did,” said Ted E. Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Know that your FBI is committed to finding and bringing to justice anyone utilizing such depraved and ruthless tactics to exert control and extort victims into performing increasingly degrading and violent acts and prevent more kids from becoming victims.”

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine, like the Department of Justice as a whole, works hand in hand with the FBI and our other law enforcement partners to protect children from online threats,” said Andrew Benson, United States attorney for the District of Maine. “If you sexually exploit a child, the fact that you yourself are a minor will not protect you from the consequences of your actions.”

Read more: FBI