Neo-Nazi Group Coerces 2 San Bernardino County Children to Film Child Porn, Harm Themselves, Feds Say
Four Men Charged with Child Exploitation
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on January 30 that four men, who allegedly espouse neo-Nazi beliefs, have been charged with child exploitation in a case involving the coercion of 16 children, including two in San Bernardino County, to create child pornography and other images showing them harming themselves.
Coercive Tactics
According to the Department of Justice, the suspects, who are associated with the group CVLT, groomed children through a platform run by CVLT to produce the images. This was achieved through various means of degradation, including exposing the victims to extremist and violent content. The group specifically targeted vulnerable individuals, such as those with mental health problems or a history of sexual abuse.
Dehumanizing Acts
The victims were encouraged to engage in dehumanizing acts, including cutting and eating their own hair, drinking their own urine, punching themselves, calling themselves racial slurs, and using razor blades to carve the suspects’ names into their skin. In some cases, the suspects pressured victims to kill themselves on a live video stream. The victims were also exposed to extremist and violent content, including women being raped and animals being tortured to death.
Threats and Retaliation
When victims resisted or threatened to report the abuse to their parents or authorities, the suspects would threaten to distribute compromising photos and videos of the victims to their family and friends. In some instances, this threat was carried out.
San Bernardino County Victims
In the case of the San Bernardino County children, a boy identified as co-conspirator R.M. conspired with a girl identified as Minor Victim 13 and a co-conspirator to produce pornography of herself and a prepubescent child, both county residents. Minor Victim 13 recorded at least two videos, which she sent to C.M.
Arrests and Charges
Colin John Thomas Walker, 23, of Bridgeton, New Jersey, and Clint Jordan Lopaka Nahooikaika Borge, 41, of Pahoa, Hawaii, were arrested on January 30 and charged with one count of engaging in a child exploitation enterprise. They were expected to appear in court in their respective states.
The indictment also charges two men already in custody with one count of engaging in a child exploitation enterprise: Rohan Sandeep Rane, 28, of Antibes, France, and Kaleb Christopher Merritt, 24, of Spring, Texas. Rane was previously charged with several child exploitation and related offenses in France and has been in French custody since 2022. Merritt is in custody in Virginia, serving a 50-year sentence for child sex abuse crimes committed in 2020 and 2021.
Penalties
If convicted as charged, the defendants would face a minimum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Investigation Assistance
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles Police Department were among the agencies assisting in the investigation.
Conclusion
This disturbing case highlights the heinous acts committed by individuals who allegedly espouse neo-Nazi beliefs. The exploitation of children is a serious violation of their rights and well-being, and those responsible must face severe consequences.
FAQs
* What is the alleged purpose of the group CVLT?
The group CVLT allegedly aimed to create an “army of sadist followers.”
* How many children were coerced into producing child pornography?
16 children, including two in San Bernardino County, were coerced into producing child pornography.
* What is the minimum penalty for the defendants if convicted as charged?
20 years in prison.
* Who is being charged in the case?
Four men, including two already in custody, are being charged with engaging in a child exploitation enterprise.
