A Tucson, Ariz., man has been charged in connection with 764, a digital network of suspected predators using social media to blackmail children into hurting themselves and others for online bragging rights.
Baron Cain Martin, 21, was charged with 29 counts, including conspiring to provide material support to terrorists; conspiring to kill, kidnap or maim persons in a foreign country; five counts of producing child sex abuse material (CSAM); 11 counts of distributing CSAM; three counts of coercing and enticing minors to engage in sexual activity; three counts of cyberstalking; animal crushing and distribution of animal crush videos; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; and participating in a child exploitation enterprise.
Martin is accused of being the leader of 764, referred to as a criminal organization of what the Department of Justice (DOJ) called “Nihilistic Violent Extremists.”
“Members of 764 seek to desensitize young people to violence and break down societal norms regarding violence,” a statement from the DOJ read. “They normalize the possession, production, and sharing of explicit CSAM and gore material to corrupt and groom their victims toward future violence, gain notoriety among other members of the network, and spread fear for the purpose of accelerating chaos under the 764 ideology with an aim toward the disruption of society.”
Martin is accused of assisting terrorists “to carry out a conspiracy to kill or maim a person in a foreign country,” the statement continued. In September 2022, he allegedly conspired with others to coerce and direct a person outside the U.S. to maim and kill themself.
Eight of the nine victims Martin allegedly victimized were between the ages of 11 and 15, according to the DOJ.
Martin was arrested on Dec. 11 and has been in custody since.
“This man’s alleged crimes are unthinkably depraved and reflect the horrific danger of 764 — if convicted, he will face severe consequences as we work to dismantle this evil network,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in the statement. “I urge parents to remain vigilant about the threats their children face online.”
FBI Director Kash Patel also accused Martin of posting “a guide for others to use to identify, groom and extort their own victims,” according to the statement.
The FBI has 250 open investigations into the group. International attacks allegedly include using a failed bombing attack at a Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro.
