A disturbing case of online exploitation has come to light as a Queens man and four others were arrested for their involvement in a twisted online cult known as âGreggyâs Cult.â This cult used Discord, a messaging app, and popular gaming platforms like Roblox and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to prey on children as young as 11 from 2019 to 2021. The group terrorized and blackmailed their young victims into performing sick sexual acts on camera, which they then circulated online.
Hector Bermudez, 29, of Queens, was among the five men arrested and arraigned in federal court. The groupâs actions were truly horrifying, as they coerced children into performing sexually explicit acts, sometimes with household objects, and forced them to mark their bodies with the cult membersâ names. Victims were also made to beg for forgiveness on video, declaring themselves âownedâ to prove their loyalty to the cult.
The depraved behavior didnât stop there, as the suspects even went as far as instructing some victims on how to end their own lives. One victim was told to overdose or hang themselves from a ceiling fan. The cult used malware to lock minors out of their computers until they complied with their demands, showing just how far they were willing to go to manipulate and control their victims.
The youngest victim targeted by the cult was only 11 years old, highlighting the vulnerability of children online. The FBI is urging any potential victims to come forward by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI. This case serves as a stark reminder of how easily predators can embed themselves in the digital platforms that minors use, and the importance of vigilance in protecting children from online exploitation.
In addition to Bermudez, the other indicted suspects include 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. Valdez is currently serving time on another federal case. Each suspect faces charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, distribution of child pornography, access with intent to view child pornography, and conspiracy to communicate interstate threats.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the actions of the cult, stating that âno child should ever be terrorized or exploited online, and no online platform should give refuge to predators.â The Department of Justice is committed to protecting children, supporting survivors, and holding accountable those who prey on the vulnerable, both online and offline. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk online and the importance of safeguarding children from exploitation.
