Florida man pleads guilty to child porn charges tied to violent extremist network 764

A Florida man has pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material as part of his involvement with a violent extremist network that targets and exploits minors, federal prosecutors announced.

Shawn Krishendat Premsook, 26, of Clermont, Florida, entered guilty pleas to two counts of distribution of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said Premsook was a member of “764” and other Nihilistic Violent Extremist groups for approximately two years. During that time, he participated in the groups’ efforts to coerce minors into self-harm, according to the government’s factual basis. On multiple occasions, prosecutors said, Premsook directed a minor girl to cut herself and use her blood to write messages including his online username. He also collected and distributed images and videos depicting children who had been victimized by 764 members, according to court documents.

The 764 network is described by prosecutors as an extremist organization whose members operate within the United States and coordinate with extremists abroad. The group’s stated goals include social unrest and the collapse of the current world order, including the overthrow of the U.S. government, prosecutors said. Members work in concert to undermine civilized society through the exploitation of vulnerable populations, with a particular focus on minors, according to the Justice Department.

Premsook faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a maximum of 20 years for each distribution count. Each possession count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Varadan of the Middle District of Florida is prosecuting the case with assistance from Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and James Donnelly of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section.

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