Federal prosecutors have dismantled a “nightmarish” online child exploitation network that coerced vulnerable minors into horrific acts of self-harm through Discord servers, signaling the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on protecting children from internet predators.
Quick Take
- DOJ charged five men operating “Greggy’s Cult,” an online exploitation enterprise that terrorized and blackmailed children into degrading conduct
- Defendants allegedly produced and distributed child sexual abuse material between January 2020 and January 2021
- Attorney General Pam Bondi vowed zero tolerance for child exploitation, pledging the DOJ will hold predators accountable both online and offline
- FBI Director Kash Patel warned that criminals “can’t hide in the shadows hovering over a keyboard” as enforcement intensifies
Five Defendants Arrested in Multi-State Operation
Federal authorities arrested five individuals across the United States for operating an online child exploitation enterprise.
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, face charges including conspiracy to produce child pornography and conspiracy to communicate interstate threats.
The indictment unsealed on November 28, 2025, represents a coordinated federal effort to dismantle networks that prey on vulnerable children through digital platforms.
DOJ busts ‘Greggy’s Cult’ child exploitation network that allegedly coerced kids into self-harm https://t.co/WqNKDqMIHx
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 3, 2025
Exploitation Methods: Coercion and Blackmail
Prosecutors detailed disturbing tactics used by “Greggy’s Cult” members to manipulate victims. The defendants allegedly met on Discord servers and directed minor victims to engage in sexually explicit conduct during video calls.
They captured screenshots and recordings of this material and shared them across platforms to amplify the victims’ humiliation.
The cult members allegedly used extortion and malware deployment as leverage, threatening to frame adult victims as pedophiles or targeting minors with digital threats to force continued participation in degrading acts.
Predatory Recruitment Across Gaming Platforms
The exploitation network extended beyond Discord, with prosecutors identifying recruitment efforts on popular gaming platforms including Roblox and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
This multi-platform approach allowed perpetrators to identify and target vulnerable children in environments where they felt safe.
The defendants allegedly convinced victims to demonstrate loyalty through acts of “degradation,” including being “owned” by cult members or writing their names on their bodies—practices prosecutors referred to as “fansigning.”
This systematic approach to victim manipulation reveals sophisticated predatory tactics designed to isolate and control minors.
Trump Administration’s Unwavering Commitment to Child Protection
Attorney General Pam Bondi responded to the indictment with a clear message: the Trump administration will not tolerate child exploitation. “No child should ever be terrorized or exploited online, and no online platform should give refuge to predators,” Bondi stated.
She committed the DOJ to protecting children and supporting survivors using every available tool. FBI Director Kash Patel reinforced this stance, warning that criminals cannot hide behind keyboards and will face accountability.
This decisive action demonstrates the administration’s priority on safeguarding American children from predatory networks that threaten family values and child safety.
Escalating Enforcement Against Online Child Exploitation
The “Greggy’s Cult” indictment reflects broader federal efforts to combat online child exploitation networks. The DOJ noted that “Greggy’s Cult” emerged before the “764” network, another child-exploitation group the FBI is intensifying efforts to dismantle.
Members of “764” use Discord, Telegram, and Roblox to recruit and manipulate minors, indicating a persistent threat landscape. Federal prosecutors described the conduct as “monstrous,” noting children were driven to the brink of suicide.
This escalating enforcement sends a critical message: the Trump administration views child protection as non-negotiable and will deploy federal resources to hold predators accountable.
