Porterville teen one of 28 charged nationwide in connection with extremist group '764'

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Porterville teen is one of 28 people recently charged by the Department of Justice for his alleged connection to an online extremist group.

In a six-page indictment filed by prosecutors, Tony Long is accused of sexually exploiting a minor in Washington, cyberstalking another in Tulare County, and crushing animals. The 19-year-old has denied the charges.

Prosecutors say he is an associate of "764."

"We're going after the new form of what I refer to as modern-day terrorism in America: 764 crimes that involve harming our children by going after them online," FBI Director Kash Patel said in September.

ABC's Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas has investigated the group for months.

"It's both a national security threat and a threat to families," he told Action News.

Thomas's reporting details how the 764 network coerces and extorts minors, forcing them to perform depraved acts of violence against themselves and others.

Arizona parents Leslie and Colby Taylor lost their 13-year-old son, Jay, to suicide after authorities say a 764-member in Germany pushed him to take his own life.

"The fact that the perpetrators are having access directly to our kids' mind versus their physical well-being is extremely scary," Colby told ABC.

The Porterville indictment details a local string of similar disturbing online behavior.

Prosecutors say Long used computer services and internet messages to intimidate and cause emotional distress to his minor victim.

It is another chilling reminder for parents about the dangers lurking online.

"The key is engage, engage, and then engage some more," Thomas said. "Try to have an understanding of who your child is communicating with. Know what social media platforms they're using."

The FBI has opened at least 100 additional investigations in the months since Thomas first reported on 764, bringing the nationwide total to more than 350.

Long is due back at the federal courthouse in Fresno on December 17. Court records reveal that he is subject to a protective order.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

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