Porterville Teen Indicted for Extremist-Linked Child Exploitation and Animal Cruelty

Tony Christopher Long, a 19-year-old from Porterville, California, has been federally indicted on six counts including animal crushing, sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of child sexual abuse material, cyberstalking, and making interstate threats. Long is alleged to be part of "764," a Nihilistic Violent Extremist (NVE) network that targets vulnerable populations, especially minors, to destabilize society through cruelty and exploitation. The indictment claims Long engaged in animal cruelty, sexually exploited a juvenile in Washington state, and threatened another juvenile in Kern County, with the crimes occurring in late 2024. Authorities described the group's tactics as coercing victims into violent and sexual behaviors, including producing abusive material and self-harm. Officials, including Attorney General Pamela Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, emphasized their commitment to dismantling such extremist networks and protecting vulnerable individuals. If convicted, Long faces severe prison sentences, with potential penalties reaching up to 84 years, underscoring the gravity of the charges and the government's focus on Project Safe Childhood to combat such offenses.