A resident from San Fernando Valley has been detained over allegations of child sexual exploitation linked to an online extremist organization. Jose Henry Ayala Casamiro, aged 28, was taken into custody by the FBI on charges of possessing child pornography. His initial court appearance took place at the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles, where a federal magistrate judge ordered him detained without bond. The arraignment is scheduled for April 22 in Los Angeles federal court.
"The facts alleged in this complaint are disturbing," said United States Attorney Bill Essayli. "Criminals lurk in the internet’s dark corners to prey on and do lasting damage to children. Let this arrest serve as notice to all online predators. We will find you and arrest you if you hurt children."
The affidavit supporting the complaint describes Ayala's alleged involvement in coercing minors to produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and engage in self-harm, associated with the network known as "764." This group is described as nihilistic violent extremists who exploit children online to promote social unrest and the collapse of societal structures, including that of the United States government.
As detailed, Ayala was purportedly part of an online cohort that blackmailed young girls into creating graphic child pornography while encouraging self-harm and even suicide. An incident from March 2020 documented in the complaint shows a photograph where an individual had carved the defendant's name "Henry" into their forearm. Allegations also suggest that Ayala was involved with a new server early this year that was identified as a "grooming pool" preying on underage girls.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the investigation.
Handling the prosecution are Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda Elbogen and David Ryan, with trial assistance from Justin Sher and James Donnelly of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.