Hector Bermudez, Child Exploitation Enterprise, New York 2021

Five leaders of the online group ‘Greggy’s Cult’ have been charged with sexually exploiting children on the internet, according to an indictment unsealed earlier today. The defendants, who are accused of targeting vulnerable children and adults through online platforms, will face charges of child exploitation enterprise, conspiracy to produce child pornography, conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, and conspiracy to communicate interstate threats.

The defendants, who are: 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, are accused of creating and distributing child sex abuse material and coercing victims into engaging in degrading acts. The group, which operated on Discord servers, allegedly targeted victims in Discord servers and on gaming platforms like Roblox and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

According to the indictment, the defendants and other members of Greggy’s Cult captured images of the victims’ sexually explicit conduct and shared it with other members. The group also allegedly engaged in ‘fansigning,’ where victims would write the names of ‘Greggy’s Cult’ members on their bodies as a symbol of loyalty. The defendants are accused of coercing, inducing, or enticing their victims into engaging in acts of degradation, including self-harm.

The indictment alleges that the defendants participated in this criminal conduct between January 2020 and January 2021. The defendants were arrested today throughout the United States and will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.

The Department of Justice will continue to protect children, support survivors, and hold accountable anyone who preys on the vulnerable – online or offline. The FBI is committed to finding and holding accountable those who participate in these illegal and heinous acts.

The charges against the defendants are as follows: 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, will face charges of child exploitation enterprise, conspiracy to produce child pornography, conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, and conspiracy to communicate interstate threats.

The alleged crimes occurred between January 2020 and January 2021. The defendants have not yet been sentenced. No dollar amounts are mentioned in the indictment.

Five men have been charged with serious crimes in connection with the online group ‘Greggy’s Cult.’ The case is a reminder of the dangers of online exploitation and the importance of protecting children from predators.