Two individuals were apprehended on federal charges for their involvement in a neo-Nazi child exploitation network that allegedly coerced minors into producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and images of self-harm. The group reportedly victimized at least 16 minors globally, including two from Southern California.
Collin John Thomas Walker, 23, from Bridgeton, New Jersey, and Clint Jordan Lopaka Nahooikaika Borge, 41, from Pahoa, Hawaii, were detained following a grand jury indictment accusing them of engaging in a child exploitation enterprise. Their initial court appearances are scheduled for today in New Jersey and Hawaii.
The indictment also names Rohan Sandeep Rane, 28, from Antibes, France, and Kaleb Christopher Merritt, 24, from Spring, Texas. Both are already in custody. The indictment was issued by a grand jury on January 17 and made public today.
“The defendants here are alleged to have committed horrific acts against children,” stated Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “There is nothing more important than protecting our youth. Our office will continue its effort to aggressively prosecute and incarcerate dangerous predators.”
“Sextortion and other forms of online child sexual abuse have tragically altered the trajectory of too many young lives and this group preyed upon the vulnerable to fulfill their sick and twisted desires,” commented Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “HSI and our partners will work tirelessly to protect children from victimization in communities across the United States and around the globe.”
The indictment reveals that between 2019 to 2022, Rane, Walker, Merritt, and Borge were part of CVLT (pronounced "cult"), an online group promoting neo-Nazism along with nihilism and pedophilia as its main ideologies. Members engaged in online child sexual exploitation offenses while trafficking CSAM. Rane, Walker, and Merritt served as leaders within CVLT by managing online servers for the group.
CVLT members collectively enticed children into creating CSAM through various degrading means after grooming them via extremist content exposure. They targeted vulnerable victims with mental health issues or past sexual abuse experiences.
Victims were coerced into dehumanizing acts such as self-harm or racial slur usage under pressure from CVLT members who threatened to distribute compromising materials if victims hesitated or reported them.
Rane faces previous charges related to child exploitation offenses in France since being held there since 2022; meanwhile Merritt serves a lengthy sentence due to prior convictions involving similar crimes committed during recent years.
If convicted on current charges these defendants could face sentences ranging between twenty years minimum up until life imprisonment based upon severity determined during proceedings ahead under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative combating child sexual exploitation initiated back when launched May 2006 led by Department Justice alongside U.S Attorneys Offices among others involved locally federally alike working together toward better identifying rescuing victims while prosecuting offenders exploiting internet resources available today towards achieving justice overall regarding such matters still ongoing presently across country worldwide beyond borders even now ongoing investigations conducted jointly several agencies listed hereinabove further detail below:
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Los Angeles Police Department San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office Henry County Sheriff’s Office Virginia Iowa State University Police Nationale France National Crime Agency United Kingdom New Zealand Department Internal Affairs EUROPOL all currently investigating case moving forward accordingly
Assistant United States Attorney Catharine A Richmond Violent Organized Crime Section Trial Attorneys Justin Sher James Donnelly National Security Division Counterterrorism Section prosecuting matter court soon thereafter expected follow suit later date set forth next steps taken accordingly thereafter proceedings commence officially underway once finalized completed fully resolved satisfactorily eventually ultimately concluding outcome decided final judgment rendered subsequently thereafter announced publicly afterward time comes necessary appropriate given circumstances warrant same action required take place order achieve desired result intended purpose serve end goal reach successfully achieved finally accomplished reached attained fulfilled met satisfied concluded brought closure settled finished done complete finished resolved ended terminated ceased stopped halted discontinued suspended paused put hold wait see what happens next develop unfold transpire occur happen take place 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