ST. LOUIS – Federal authorities want to make sure parents are aware of an online network described as violent and aimed at forcing minors and other vulnerable individuals to commit disturbing sex-related crimes or self-harm.

Ashley Johnson, special agent in charge of the FBI’s St. Louis Field Office, said the 764 network began years ago as an online effort to sow racial discord. 

She said the network currently uses information gathered from online connections as leverage to convince victims to commit acts that have included sexually abusing a sibling and mutilating pets.

Recent prosecutions of self-identified 764 members include cases in Michigan and Kentucky.

“It shows the predators, whether online or in person, that we’re serious, that they can’t hide behind a keyboard,” Johnson said.  “I think that’s a misconception, that we can’t find you and we will find you and we’re putting resources to make sure we do.”

The FBI has also shared information about the 764 network to help educate the public. Johnson implores parents to be aware of anyone their minors communicate with online.

“We can’t protect them from everything out there but those things that we know, we can at least have those on the radar so that they’re aware,” she said.

Johnson encourages parents, teachers and community members to be mindful of some of the potential indicators victims have displayed. She shared that a sudden change in the way they dress, not paying attention to their appearance, a sudden drop in grades, withdrawal, seclusion, and depression can be potential signs to be aware of.

“If you see something, you know, we’ve heard that phrase, ‘If you see something, say something,’ but also do something,” Johnson said.

Victims can report information through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov, FBI Field Office or 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).

Additional resources are available through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (www.cybertipline.org or 1-800-THE LOST), including a free service known as Take It Down, which helps minor victims, even if they are now an adult, to remove or stop online sharing of nude or sexually explicit content.