Five men have been indicted on charges related to the operation of an online group called “Greggy’s Cult,” which authorities allege was responsible for a range of child exploitation offenses. The defendants—Hector Bermudez, 29, of Queens, New York; Zachary Dosch, 26, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Rumaldo Valdez, 22, of Honolulu, Hawaii; David Brilhante, 28, of San Diego, California; and Camden Rodriguez, 22, of Longmont, Colorado—were arrested across the United States and are scheduled to be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York.
According to the indictment unsealed earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, between January 2020 and January 2021 the group used Discord servers and other online platforms to direct minors into sexually explicit or degrading acts during video calls. Authorities allege that these acts were recorded and distributed among members and other servers. The group is also accused of encouraging victims—including both children and adults—to harm themselves or perform humiliating acts as a means to demonstrate loyalty.
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.”
FBI Director Kash Patel commented: “These five defendants allegedly targeted vulnerable children and others via online platforms – they exploited, threatened, and harassed them, and encouraged horrific acts of self-harm. The FBI is sending a message to those individuals involved in criminal activity through violent online networks: you can’t hide in the shadows hovering over a keyboard – we will find and hold accountable those who participate in these illegal and heinous acts.”
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti said: “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.”
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr., representing the Eastern District of New York added: “As alleged, the defendants weaponized their sexual exploitation of minors through the creation and distribution of child pornography, creating a nightmarish platform on the internet where children were used, sexually abused, and at times driven to the brink of suicide. The defendants’ depraved conduct, as alleged, is monstrous and will be vigorously prosecuted. I strongly urge parents and caregivers to have conversations with their children about the dangers of communicating online with strangers and individuals who seek to cruelly exploit them.”
The indictment also alleges that members extorted both adult and minor victims by threatening exposure or deploying malware as leverage for further abuse.
Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills from the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Antoinette N. Rangel are prosecuting this case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices together with CEOS since May 2006—which aims to combat child sexual exploitation through coordinated efforts among federal agencies as well as state partners.
Anyone who believes they may have information regarding this case is encouraged to contact law enforcement at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
An indictment is an allegation only; all accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
