Ryan Catello, also known as “Stabzone” and “Mors,” appeared in federal court in Albany on April 29 after being charged with receiving child pornography. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli announced the charges.
The case is significant because it involves allegations of sexual exploitation of minors through coercion to produce explicit images, as well as suspected membership in a nihilistic violent extremist group called "764." The complaint alleges that Catello received sexually explicit images from at least two minors between March 18 and March 27, 2026.
According to the criminal complaint, Catello is accused of being part of "764," an organization described as a network targeting vulnerable underage populations via social media for the production and sharing of extreme gore media and child sexual abuse material. The group is said to seek notoriety among members by normalizing violence and explicit content, aiming to disrupt society.
"Ryan Catello, an alleged member of the nihilistic violent extremist group ‘764,’ has been charged for allegedly receiving sexually explicit content of minors via the Internet. Preying on our nation’s children, who are among the most vulnerable members of society, is beyond comprehension," Sarcone said. He added: "I thank the FBI and the New York State Police for their hard work and the sacrifices they make every day to keep our communities safe. I also recognize the importance of social media platforms that take steps to alert law enforcement to crimes like the ones alleged here. I encourage all companies in a position to do something about child sexual exploitation to be as aggressive as possible in identifying predators and making sure they are held accountable." FBI Special Agent Tremaroli said: "As alleged in the complaint, Mr. Catello is a suspected member of the disturbing Nihilistic Violent Extremist (NVE) group ‘764’ who preyed on minors and coerced them to send him explicit photos. The FBI, together with our partners at the Northern District of New York, is laser focused on investigating the predators connected to this sick network and ensuring they are brought to justice for their disturbing behavior."
Catello faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to twenty years if convicted; he could also receive fines up to $250,000 plus supervised release from five years up to life depending on judicial sentencing guidelines.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York supports community wellness by coordinating law enforcement initiatives designed both deter crime foster public trust according its official website. It maintains offices across Albany Binghamton Plattsburgh Syracuse according its official website covering thirty-two counties over thirty thousand square miles serving approximately three point four million residents according its official website. About fifty assistant attorneys more than fifty support staff handle federal prosecutions civil litigation victim witness support throughout region according its official website.
Catello had his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Paul J. Evangelista where he was detained pending another hearing scheduled May 1.
Project Safe Childhood leads efforts nationwide against child sexual exploitation using resources from U.S Attorneys’ Offices Criminal Division's Child Exploitation Obscenity Section (CEOS). More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Authorities remind that charges remain accusations; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
