Federal authorities have cracked down on a sadistic online network dubbed “Greggy’s Cult,” unsealing an indictment today that charges five men with running a criminal enterprise dedicated to the extortion, abuse, and sexual exploitation of children.
The defendants, arrested in sweeps across the country, allegedly used popular gaming and chat platforms to hunt for victims, coercing them into degrading acts and self-harm.
The five men charged are Hector Bermudez, 29, of Queens, New York; Zachary Dosch, 26, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Rumaldo Valdez, 22, of Honolulu, Hawaii; David Brilhante, 28, of San Diego, California; and Camden Rodriguez, 22, of Longmont, Colorado. They face a litany of charges in the Eastern District of New York, including conspiracy to produce and distribute child pornography and conspiracy to communicate interstate threats.
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According to the indictment, the alleged abuse took place between January 2020 and January 2021. Prosecutors say the group utilized Discord servers to coordinate their attacks, finding targets on gaming platforms like Roblox and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Once isolated, victims—including both minors and adults—were reportedly forced onto video calls and directed to perform sexually explicit or humiliating acts.
The details outlined by the Justice Department paint a picture of psychological torture. The defendants allegedly compelled victims to engage in “fansigning”—writing the names of cult members on their bodies—and even encouraged them to commit suicide or self-harm. In some instances, the indictment states victims were coerced into inserting household objects into their bodies on camera. These acts were recorded and shared among the group’s members as entertainment.
Investigators note that “Greggy’s Cult” predated the infamous “764” extortion network, with some members eventually migrating to that group. The defendants allegedly maintained control over victims through varied extortion tactics, from deploying malware on children’s computers to framing adult victims as pedophiles to ensure silence and compliance.
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“No child should ever be terrorized or exploited online, and no online platform should give refuge to predators,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. She emphasized that the DOJ would use every tool available to hold the accused accountable.
FBI Director Kash Patel issued a direct warning to online predators believing they can operate anonymously. “You can’t hide in the shadows hovering over a keyboard,” Patel said. “We will find and hold accountable those who participate in these illegal and heinous acts.”
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. described the platform created by the defendants as “nightmarish,” noting that children were “driven to the brink of suicide” by the group’s depraved conduct.
The defendants are awaiting arraignment. Authorities are urging any potential victims or individuals with information regarding the case to contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
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