Alberta teen charged with terrorism, child abuse and animal cruelty linked to online extremist network
A 17-year-old from Lethbridge was arrested and faces terrorism, child sexual abuse and animal cruelty offences after involvement with the 764 online extremist group.
On Sept. 3, RCMP federal police in the Northwest Region, working with the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team, detained a 17-year-old from Lethbridge after Lethbridge Police flagged a Discord user linked to the 764 network. The 764 group, designated a terrorist entity in December 2025 by Canada and monitored by the FBI, operates on platforms such as Roblox, Discord, and Twitch, promoting nihilistic violence and exploiting children.
The teen now faces multiple counts, including participation in a terrorist organization, facilitating terrorist activity, committing offences for the group, distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material, and causing unnecessary animal suffering. The Youth Criminal Justice Act keeps the suspect’s name confidential, and a court date is set for Oct. 14 in Lethbridge. Canadian officials cite previous incidents involving minors tied to the network, and U.S. authorities have issued warnings about its recruitment and exploitation tactics. The case highlights growing concerns over online extremist recruitment of youths.
Why it matters
It shows how extremist groups exploit digital platforms to involve minors in terrorism and abuse, prompting law-enforcement action.
In this story
