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A 17-year-old Maine teenager becomes the first juvenile in the United States to be federally charged for acts within the 764 network.

A 17-year-old teenager from Maine has been sentenced to a term of official detention followed by juvenile delinquent supervision after becoming the first juvenile in the United States to be federally charged and adjudicated for acts related to nihilistic violent extremist groups in the 764 network. The FBI announced the conviction on Tuesday, noting that the teen was found guilty of multiple charges including conspiring to sexually exploit a child, sexually exploiting and enticing a child, distributing child sexual abuse material, sending interstate threats, cyberstalking victims, and identity theft. The 764 network is an online group that befriends minors and vulnerable people through popular platforms to coerce them into escalating sexual and violent behavior. The FBI is currently investigating more than 500 people nationwide who are tied to these violent networks. Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Boston Division, stated that the case serves as a warning that age will not shield a juvenile from accountability for extremist crimes. Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg also noted that parents must remain vigilant to protect children from the influence of these online extremists.

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