Five individuals were charged in Brooklyn federal court for their alleged involvement in a child exploitation enterprise known as “Greggy’s Cult.” The indictment names Hector Bermudez, Zachary Dosch, Rumaldo Valdez, David Brilhante, and Camden Rodriguez. They face charges including conspiracy to produce, receive, and distribute child pornography and conspiracy to communicate interstate threats. Four of the defendants were arrested across the United States; Valdez is already incarcerated on another federal charge.
According to authorities, the group operated on Discord servers and other online platforms from January 2020 to January 2021. The indictment alleges that members coerced minors into producing sexually explicit material and distributed these images among themselves and others online. The group also reportedly encouraged victims to engage in self-harm or suicide.
United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated: “No child should ever be terrorized or exploited online, and no online platform should give refuge to predators. The Department of Justice will continue to protect children, support survivors, and hold accountable anyone who preys on the vulnerable – online or offline – with every tool we have.”
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said: “As alleged, the defendants leveraged a popular internet platform to coerce minors into creating grotesque child pornography of themselves, which the defendants distributed, and then tormented these victims with the images, not only encouraging self-harm, but also encouraging some minors to commit suicide. The defendants’ conduct, as alleged, is monstrous and will be vigorously prosecuted. I strongly urge parents and caregivers to speak to their children about the dangers of communicating with strangers on social media and how to seek help from adults and law enforcement in these situations.”
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti added: “These defendants are charged with the unspeakable act of coercing and blackmailing children and adults to engage in self-harm and other degrading acts. As demonstrated by today’s indictment, the Criminal Division will not stand for such heinous crimes, and we will work tirelessly to bring these offenders to justice.”
FBI New York Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia commented: “These five defendants allegedly coerced children to share videos subjecting themselves to brutal sexual abuse, while also encouraging self-harm and suicide. The defendants allegedly weaponized online gaming platforms to target unsuspecting minors and use them to satisfy the horrendous desires of a twisted group. The FBI will never cease its pursuit of those who prowl the web for innocent victims to torment and exploit in their sick games.”
FBI Honolulu Special Agent David Porter stated: “The defendants allegedly coordinated efforts to exploit minors through the creation and distribution of sexually explicit material, coerced children to commit self-harm, and extorted their victims in a variety of ways. The FBI will stop at nothing in its pursuit of violent predators targeting the children in our communities and will work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and dismantle the enterprise networks responsible for these heinous acts.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said: “The five individuals charged in this case allegedly used gaming and social-media platforms to target and coerce minors into sexually abusive acts, recorded that abuse, and distributed it across an online network. This case underscores how easily predators can embed themselves in the digital platforms that minors use. The NYPD and our federal partners have been focused on uncovering and dismantling online groups that prey on children, and today’s indictment reflects the progress of that work. I want to thank the NYPD investigators, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their persistence and dedication to bringing these offenders to justice.”
Authorities allege that Greggy’s Cult recruited victims via Discord servers or gaming platforms such as Roblox or Counter-Strike: Global Offensive by directing them during video calls or chat sessions into explicit activity while recording them without consent.
Victims were sometimes compelled through extortion tactics such as malware attacks or threats against both minor and adult targets.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice initiative started in May 2006—to combat child sexual exploitation using resources from various agencies nationwide.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Antoinette N. Rangel (Eastern District of New York) along with Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills (Department of Justice Child Exploitation Section). All named individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Anyone who may have information about this case is urged by officials to contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
For more information about Project Safe Childhood visit www.justice.gov/psc
