Two New York men have been arrested in connection with the online extremist network known as “764,” facing federal charges tied to the exploitation of minors.
Aaron Corey and Ryan Catello are accused of receiving and coercing sexually explicit material involving children, part of what federal authorities describe as a disturbing pattern linked to a criminal network called 764.
But this case is not just about two individuals.
It’s about what those arrests confirm.
According to the FBI, 764 is a transnational network of nihilistic violent extremists that frequently incorporates Satanic ideology and symbolism. The law enforcement agency estimates the group has over 100,000 members.
The enormity of the child predator operation matters.
Because these points to structure, not randomness.
Investigators say participants in these types of networks actively seek out minors, engage in online communities where abusive material is shared and encouraged, and, in some cases, even use emerging technologies to generate and circulate additional content.
Far from being lone wolves, they are part of a system.
Experts and prior reporting have linked 764 to a broader online ecosystem where exploitation is escalated, victims are manipulated and controlled, and increasingly extreme behavior is encouraged.
Cases tied to these networks have included psychological coercion, forced self-harm, and other acts carried out under pressure from anonymous online actors.
These are not disconnected crimes.
They are part of a growing pattern.
Christian Action Network President Martin Mawyer has been documenting these developments in his book, When Evil Stops Hiding, which examines how digital networks are being used to exploit minors and erode moral boundaries.
“These arrests don’t show the system is ending,” Mawyer said. “They show the system is real.”
The investigation into 764 remains ongoing
Martin Mawyer is the founder of the Digital Intelligence Project and the President of Christian Action Network. He is the host of the “Shout Out Patriots” podcast, and author of When Evil Stops Hiding. For more action alerts, cultural commentary, and real-world campaigns defending faith, family, and freedom, subscribe to Patriot Majority Report.