Parents asking for tougher laws targeting dangerous online network that exploits children

CHICAGO (WLS) — There was a deeply emotional day of testimony on Capitol Hill this week as lawmakers heard firsthand from family members of children targeted by a dangerous online network known as 764.

Members manipulate unsuspecting kids online, blackmail and extort them into producing sexually explicit images or harming themselves or others. Now, lawmakers are hearing from families and advocates as they ask for more action on the federal level to stop groups like this.

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“For nearly 20 hours, they attacked, threatened, terrorized, dismantled my child. Every time he tried to fight back and ask why are you doing this to me, please leave me alone, they escalated,” said Tamia Woods.

She recounted the devastating final hours of her 17-year-old son James’ life after he was manipulated and extorted by the malicious online group 764. James died by suicide and was found at their home.

“In those last moments, my son, who had everything to live for, felt like he had no other choice,” Woods said.

The 764 group operates not only in the United States but all over the world using threats, blackmail, and perverse manipulation to groom children for violence and pain, according to the FBI, forcing them to perform depraved acts against themselves and others. Investigators say the more debased and violent the image or video a member is able to coerce a child to produce, the higher their standing in 764.

“We’ve got to change the law. Unfortunately, technology has to be moving forward and as it moves forward there are more challenges for criminal prosecution,” Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin told the ABC7 I-Team.

Durbin listened to that testimony in Congress and introduced bipartisan legislation to hold online actors who manipulate and extort children accountable.

“Now they’re using all sorts of means of coercing these young people into doing horrible things, harming themselves and others, and animals and in some cases taking their own lives,” Sen. Durbin said.

That bill has not yet become law.

RELATED | Terrorism charges recently filed against violent online 764 network targeting minors

“I guess I’m coming from a mom and a naive stance, I don’t understand why it’s so hard to pass laws,” Woods said.

At least 28 people have been charged by the Justice Department in recent years with suspected ties to 764 or affiliated networks. Many have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children tells the I-Team it’s on track to receive nearly 2,000 reports of abuse tied to these networks this year, much of it starting on popular online platforms.

“The imagery, the videos, the chats that we are seeing and reading are the most graphic that I have ever seen in my 20-year history,” Lauren Coffren with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children testified.

“I would give anything to have my son back. And if they have to learn, if they have to see James’ face, if they have to see my tears, I’m going to make sure that it happens,” Woods said.

Prosecutors at the hearing asked federal lawmakers for mandatory minimums for possessing child exploitation materials. They say right now that does not exist nationwide.

Additional resources:
To report an incident to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline: https://report.cybertip.org/

For more resources on child sexual exploitation, including how to talk to your child about this topic: https://report.cybertip.org/other-resources

To report an incident of child exploitation to the FBI: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/cenp

If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text the new three digit code at 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org or dial the current toll free number 800-273-8255 [TALK].