Leonidas Varagiannis, known as "War" and aged 21, and Prasan Nepal, known as "Trippy" and aged 20, have been arrested and charged for allegedly operating an international child exploitation network named "764." Varagiannis was arrested in Greece, while Nepal was arrested in North Carolina. They are set to face court proceedings in Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the Washington Field Office, and FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia of the New York Field Office announced these charges.
The network, identified as 764, reportedly consists of nihilistic violent extremists involved in criminal activities worldwide, aiming to destabilize society. According to the affidavit filed in the District of Columbia, Varagiannis and Nepal led a faction within 764 called 764 Inferno. They allegedly used encrypted messaging to manage the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and engaged in the psychological and physical exploitation of minors. Their alleged activities included instructing minors to inflict harm on themselves and coercing them into creating explicit content.
Attorney Martin expressed the severity of the situation, stating, "The allegations in this case are not only disturbing, they are also every parent’s nightmare." Attorney General Bondi emphasized the commitment to prosecuting those who exploit children, remarking, "We will find those who exploit and abuse children, prosecute them, and dismantle every part of their operation."
The FBI is actively involved in dismantling this network, as Assistant Director Jensen remarked on the ongoing resolve to dismantle violent networks. In his statement, Assistant Director Raia of the FBI New York Field Office highlighted the disturbing nature of the network, emphasizing the organization's exploitation of children for their objectives.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch lauded the joint efforts to exposure and counter the exploitative operations conducted by this network. "Through the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the NYPD is proud to have partnered with federal and international authorities to dismantle this horrific operation and protect the most vulnerable among us," she stated.
United States federal and international authorities conducted the investigation, which remains ongoing. Those found guilty face the possibility of life imprisonment.
The case is being handled by prosecutors from the District of Columbia, with contributions from various FBI field offices and the Hellenic National Police. It is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child exploitation.
The charges remain allegations, and the defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.
