Member Of Violent Online Child Pornography Network Pleads Guilty To Sexually Exploiting A Child

Richard Anthony Reyna Densmore (a/k/a "Rabid"), Of Kaleva, Is A Member of 764, A Decentralized Network Of Online Groups That Target Children To Engage In Violent Self-Harm And Pornographic Activity

<_w3a_sdt docpart="C0C759EFEC554605BBE5D7441217CB27" dropdown="t" id="-1351956640" sdttag="City" title="City"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Choose an item."><_w3a_listitem datavalue="GRAND RAPIDS" listvalue="GRAND RAPIDS"><_w3a_listitem datavalue="MARQUETTE" listvalue="MARQUETTE"> GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Richard Anthony Reyna Densmore, 47, of Kaleva, known by his online alias "Rabid," pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a child. Sexual exploitation of a child carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

"The guilty plea of Richard Densmore is an important step forward in our efforts to protect kids from the rising threat of sadistic online predators," said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. "This case is a flashing red light to the dangers of devices. Parents, guardians, and users can protect themselves and their loved ones, but they have to be aware and they have to act."

As part of his guilty plea, Densmore admitted that in September 2022, as "Rabid#7997" on the social media platform Discord, he sent another user, a minor, a form of Discord currency (Nitro) to persuade her to send a picture of her chest area with "Rabid" written on them. When the minor expressed reservations about sending the picture, Densmore contacted another Discord user with whom the minor had an online relationship and told that user to get a nude photo of the minor with "Rabid" written on her chest. Densmore also sent that user Nitro to persuade him to get the requested image. Densmore's efforts were successful and the minor, whom the other Discord user persuaded to send sexually explicit content, sent Densmore and that user a nude video of herself with "Rabid" written on her chest.

Evidence presented at a February 2024 detention hearing in this case established that Densmore operated online servers (including "Sewer") as part of a decentralized network, known as 764, that targets, induces, and extorts children into engaging in violent acts, self-harm, and sexually explicit activities. The evidence at Densmore's detention hearing revealed that, in addition to the prepubescent child pornography that Densmore collected, for which he was charged in the indictment, Densmore kept violent images and videos on his phones, including images of people cutting symbols and names into their skin. The evidence established that after Densmore's phones were seized in an initial search warrant, Densmore continued to collect such material on new devices, including a photo with a bloody "R" carved into a person's skin.

The FBI issued a public service announcement regarding these groups in September 2023. The Washington Post and Wired.com also published articles in March 2024 that describe a coordinated journalistic investigation into the groups' activities. According to the FBI announcement, 764 and its affiliated groups target minors; particularly, marginalized children and children experiencing mental health challenges. Prospective members gain access to associated online platforms by livestreaming or uploading videos of minor victims engaging in self-harm and sexually explicit conduct, among other things. Group members use that content to extort additional self-harm and sexually explicit content from victims.

"It's frightening that individuals like Mr. Densmore seek access to our children through online platforms to exploit for gratification sexually," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "We must educate and equip our children and parents with the resources to navigate the internet cautiously, thus reducing the risk of child exploitation activities like this from occurring again. It is a priority of the FBI to prevent predators like Mr. Densmore from victimizing our most innocent and impressionable youth. This plea should warn others that we will continue working tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to rid our communities of predators and safeguard our children."

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten reiterated that parents should look for unexpected packages, as members of these abuse and extortion networks are known to send children razor blades, sexual devices, and other materials to use in creating online content. The FBI further advised the public to take a number of precautionary steps, including:

• Looking for fresh cuts, bruises, wounds, and scars in unusual patterns;
• Looking for sudden behavior and appearance changes;
• Being attentive to children wearing long sleeves or pants in unusual circumstances;
• Monitoring children's online activity and discussing the risks of sharing information and content; and
• Running frequent online searches of family and children's information to help identify and prevent the spread of personal information on the internet.

If you are worried about someone who might be self-harming or is at risk of suicide, please consult a health care professional or call 9-1-1 in the event of an immediate, life-threatening emergency.

The FBI is investigating this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Townshend is prosecuting it.

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