The Department of Justice has dismantled a horrific online predator network called “Greggy’s Cult” that used popular gaming platforms and Discord servers to terrorize children into acts of self-harm and suicide.
Story Highlights
- Five men across the U.S. were arrested for running an online child exploitation enterprise targeting minors
- Predators used Discord, Roblox, and gaming platforms to recruit vulnerable children
- Victims coerced into self-harm, degrading acts, and driven to the brink of suicide
- FBI Director Kash Patel vows accountability for online predators hiding behind keyboards
Federal Charges Target Multi-State Predator Ring
Federal prosecutors unsealed indictments charging five men with conspiracy to produce child pornography, conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, and conspiracy to communicate interstate threats.
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, were arrested Tuesday and will face arraignment in the Eastern District of New York.
The Department of Justice described the operation as a “nightmarish platform on the internet” where predators carried out “depraved conduct” including repeatedly encouraging victims to commit suicide and engage in horrific acts of self-harm.
This case demonstrates the urgent need for stronger online protections for children and families navigating an increasingly dangerous digital landscape.
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
Gaming Platforms Exploited to Target Vulnerable Children
Prosecutors revealed that “Greggy’s Cult” members actively recruited victims through popular gaming platforms, including Roblox and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, before moving them to Discord servers for exploitation.
The predators directed minor victims to engage in sexually explicit and degrading conduct during video calls, capturing screenshots and recordings to share across their network. This exploitation of mainstream gaming platforms highlights serious security gaps that put American children at risk.
Systematic Blackmail and Psychological Torture Campaign
The defendants allegedly employed sophisticated extortion tactics, including sending malware to minor victims and attempting to frame adult victims as pedophiles to maintain control.
Victims were coerced into demonstrating “loyalty” through acts prosecutors described as “fansigning,” writing cult member names on their bodies, and accepting being “owned” by predators.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. called the conduct “monstrous,” noting that children were “at times driven to the brink of suicide” through systematic psychological torture.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized law enforcement’s commitment to protecting children, stating that predators “can’t hide in the shadows hovering over a keyboard” and promising accountability for those participating in these illegal acts.
Attorney General Pam Bondi reinforced this message, declaring that “no child should ever be terrorized or exploited online” and vowing to use every available tool to protect vulnerable populations from online predators.
