SACRAMENTO, CA — A federal grand jury has indicted a Porterville man on charges involving the exploitation of minors, threats, and animal cruelty, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Tony Christopher Long, 19, is charged with two counts of animal crushing, sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor, cyberstalking, and transmitting an interstate threat. He remains in state custody on related matters.
Federal prosecutors allege the offenses occurred in late 2024 and involved juvenile victims in Washington state and Kern County, California. Investigators say the case is linked to an online group referred to as “764,” which federal agencies classify as a network of Nihilistic Violent Extremists.
According to Wikipedia, the group has incorporated symbols associated with Nazism and other extremist imagery, though reporting cited in the article indicates its primary motivations are driven by sadism and efforts to destabilize society rather than a defined political ideology.
According to the press release, authorities state that members of the group aim to exploit vulnerable individuals through online platforms. The FBI has been investigating the network along with the Porterville Police Department.
If convicted, Long faces maximum penalties ranging from two to 30 years on several counts, including a mandatory minimum of 15 years for the sexual exploitation charge. A federal judge will determine sentencing in accordance with U.S. guidelines.
The case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide effort to investigate and address child exploitation crimes.
Officials emphasized that the indictment is an allegation and Long is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
