The indictment also referred to two unnamed minor co-conspirators, one of whom was also described as a victim.
(Asked for clarification on any specific alleged suicides, a representative from the U.S.
If convicted, they face 20 years to life in prison.
Authorities indicted four men for allegedly “groom[ing] and then coerc[ing] minors to produce child sexual abuse material and images of self-harm.”Sean Gallup/Getty Images
(Their lawyers did not respond to requests for comment.)
They think to themselves, Whats the worst possible thing that I can do?
And then they have a go at do it.
Its like a challenge to them.
The groups reach extends internationally, and its tough to assess the exact number of perpetrators and victims.
In September 2023, the FBI issued aPSAwarning about violent online groups coercing minors into harming themselves.
They become another commodity thats distributed amongst groups that engage in performance crime for an audience.
He is facing 30 years to life in prison.
Among the defendants recently indicted in California, Merritt is already serving a 50-year sentence in Virginia.
The California indictment accuses Merritt of victimizing four more children.
I think what we need to be focused on more is, how do we do things better?
How can we better protect women and girls so theyre not subjected to this punch in of technology-facilitated violence?
Attorneys Office for the Central District of California.
