The FBI has launched an aggressive nationwide crackdown on the “764” network, a heinous child-exploitation ring targeting children as young as 11 years old through popular gaming and social media platforms.
Story Highlights
- FBI is conducting over 300 investigations nationwide targeting the dangerous “764” child-exploitation network.
- Recent arrests include suspects in Maryland and Arizona who allegedly targeted children aged 11-15.
- Network uses Discord, Telegram, and Roblox to recruit minors for violence, self-harm, and sexual abuse.
- FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino warns parents to monitor children’s internet usage and implement safeguards.
FBI Intensifies Operations Against Child Predators
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced Wednesday that federal authorities have dramatically escalated efforts to dismantle the “764” network, a sophisticated child-exploitation organization that coerces minors into acts of violence, self-harm, animal abuse, suicide, and sexual abuse.
The FBI has opened more than 300 investigations connected to this network nationwide, with that number continuing to grow as agents uncover the scope of the criminal enterprise.
NATIONWIDE CRACKDOWN: FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino says the bureau is ramping up efforts to dismantle the “764” network—an online child-exploitation ring tied to more than 300 ongoing investigations across the U.S.
“The 764 Network is a heinous child-exploitation ring that… pic.twitter.com/ytnneDFSoQ
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 20, 2025
Recent Arrests Highlight Network’s Disturbing Reach
FBI Baltimore agents recently arrested an individual charged with targeting five minors, including a 13-year-old victim. The suspect remains in federal custody while investigators develop additional details about the case.
In Arizona, federal prosecutors have indicted another suspected “764” affiliate who allegedly targeted nine victims between the ages of 11 and 15. The charges include distributing child pornography, cyberstalking, animal crushing, and conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.
The Director and I, in conjunction with our employees in the field, have emphasized taking down the “764 network” – and I want to update you on a couple of the latest cases.
For those who may not know, the 764 Network is a heinous child exploitation ring that often targets…
— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) November 19, 2025
Digital Predators Exploit Popular Teen Platforms
The “764” network, founded in 2021 by Texas teenager Bradley “Felix” Cadenhead, operates within a broader ecosystem of violent online communities called “The COM.”
Named after Cadenhead’s hometown ZIP code, the network strategically infiltrates platforms popular with preteens and teenagers, including Discord, Telegram, and Roblox.
These predators exploit the trust and vulnerability of young users to recruit and manipulate victims into increasingly dangerous activities.
Parents Urged to Take Immediate Protective Action
Bongino emphasized that this threat represents a major issue in America that too few parents understand or recognize. He urged all parents to remain vigilant, actively check in with their children, and closely monitor internet usage.
The FBI Deputy Director specifically recommended implementing safeguards that limit what these predatory networks can access, recognizing that many parents remain unaware of how sophisticated these criminal organizations have become in targeting children online.
