In an unexpected twist following a 2021 gun possession arrest in Queens, New York, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has uncovered a web of connections linking accused gun suspect Angel Almeida to a menacing pedophilic, Satanist extortion cult known as 764.
The organization, allegedly responsible for victimizing a large number of minors, has sent shockwaves through law enforcement and communities alike, according to recently disclosed documents and informed sources reviewed by The Guardian.
According to The Guardian, the FBI’s investigation into Almeida, a 23-year-old Astoria resident, commenced after a concerning series of social media posts that not only exhibited violent tendencies but also unveiled an alarming connection to a global web of terror.
On September 12, 2023, the FBI took the unprecedented step of issuing a public warning about 764, declaring the group’s sinister intentions.
“The FBI is warning the public of violent online groups deliberately targeting minor victims on publicly available messaging platforms to extort them into recording or live-streaming acts of self-harm and producing child sexual abuse material,” the warning stated.
Targeting a vulnerable demographic, the cult is known to prey on children between the ages of eight and 17. According to The Guardian, the group also has a distinct focus on young people of color, LGBTQ+ identifying youth, and those grappling with mental health issues.
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Known for its expansive reach, members of 764 reportedly foster connections with minors on platforms spanning from Roblox to Discord, Twitch, and SoundCloud, with Telegram serving as the organization’s primary method of communication.
According to The Guardian, members of the 764 cults exploit social media connections, employing “threats, blackmail, and manipulation” to coerce minors into recording horrifying videos showcasing self-harm, animal cruelty, and other abhorrent acts.
The video footage is then leveraged to further victimize and control their young targets.
According to authorities, the group’s core motive is to “gain notoriety and rise in status within their group.” Investigations suggest that 764 evolved from the Order of Nine Angles (O9A), which is an organization comprised of Satanism, Hitler worship, and Wiccan beliefs, recognized as a terror ideology by American authorities. Evidence points to the group’s extensive network, with a couple of thousand participants globally, according to The Guardian.
After being arrested in 2021, Almeida now awaits a trial scheduled for December 4. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison, according to The Guardian.
This news article was partially created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and edited and fact-checked by a human editor.
