Maine teen tied to 764 extremist network receives federal sentence for child exploitation

A 17-year-old from Maine linked to the violent online extremist group known as the 764 network was sentenced in federal court for conspiring to sexually exploit a child, along with charges including sexual exploitation and enticement of a child, cyberstalking and identity theft. The case marks the first time a juvenile has been federally charged in crimes tied to 764, which prosecutors say coerces minors into escalating sexual and violent acts; the FBI is investigating more than 500 people nationwide with ties to the network. The teen’s name is withheld due to juvenile protection laws, and the sentence will be served federally with a period of supervised release afterward; exact length not disclosed.