LA Man Charged with Grooming Girls to Send Explicit Self-Harm Videos

Bryant Gonzalez, 24, allegedly coerced minors to create and share sexually explicit content, including self-harm, as part of a twisted online 'gore group'.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A 24-year-old man from Downey, California has been arrested and charged with manipulating young girls into sending him sexually explicit videos and photos, including content depicting self-harm. Bryant Gonzalez is accused of being affiliated with a dark online community known as '764' that encourages such criminal behavior targeting vulnerable minors.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing threat of online predators exploiting children through sextortion, coercion and manipulation, often as part of extremist ideologies like the '764' group that promote harmful and illegal activities. Authorities are vowing to aggressively pursue and prosecute those involved in these disturbing crimes against minors.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, Gonzalez coerced at least two girls, ages 11 and 15, to send him sexually explicit videos and images, including content showing the 15-year-old engaging in self-harm. Gonzalez then allegedly shared this abusive material with other members of the '764' online community, which the FBI describes as a 'gore group' or 'sadistic cult' that targets vulnerable youth.

  • Gonzalez's alleged crimes occurred between April and June 2025.
  • He was arrested at his home in Downey, California on February 20, 2026.
  • Gonzalez's arraignment is scheduled for March 10, 2026.

The players

Bryant Gonzalez

A 24-year-old man from Downey, California who has been charged with coercing minors to send him sexually explicit videos and photos, including content depicting self-harm, as part of his alleged involvement in the '764' online extremist group.

Bill Essayli

The top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles who is vowing to aggressively pursue and prosecute those affiliated with the '764' group and similar online predators exploiting children.

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What they’re saying

“This particular group preys on children online, through social media or other direct messaging apps. They look for kids that are susceptible to being exploited.”

— Bill Essayli, Los Angeles Federal Prosecutor (New York Post)

“A lot of these guys, it's a weird fetish in having power over somebody. They use it as a source of control over their victims.”

— Bill Essayli, Los Angeles Federal Prosecutor (New York Post)

What’s next

Gonzalez's arraignment is scheduled for March 10, 2026, where he will enter a plea. Prosecutors are expected to argue that he should be held without bail due to the serious nature of the charges and risk of him reoffending.

The takeaway

This case underscores the urgent need to combat the growing threat of online predators exploiting vulnerable children, often as part of disturbing extremist ideologies. Authorities are vowing to aggressively pursue and prosecute those involved in these heinous crimes in order to protect young victims and hold offenders accountable.