CASTAIC, Calif. — A 13-year-old girl in California was saved from a Pennsylvania man who allegedly located her online and targeted her as part of a cult, traveling across the country to execute dreadful acts against the teen.
The rescue operation, involving local and federal authorities, freed the girl from a motel in Castaic, California, on Friday. Officials reported that the teen, hailing from Los Angeles, was with an 18-year-old man linked to a violent extremist group that purportedly coerces and exploits minors.
The girl was said to be on the brink of suicide.
First assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli described it as “one of the most twisted and disturbing ideas to emerge from the internet.”
Court documents indicate that Matthew Pysher, of Bangor, Pa., started messaging the girl on Discord two months prior, having discovered her on a mental health server.
When he began messaging her privately, officials reported deeply troubling requests. Pysher allegedly groomed her into sending explicit sexual images and encouraged her to share photographs of self-harm.
“In his final message, he tells her, ‘You can go as deep or shallow as you want. I love scratches, cuts and pretty much anything else,'” said Essayli.
The victim’s mother discovered the messages and alerted the police, but the situation escalated when the girl fled and left a suicide note behind.
Authorities traced the Discord account back to Pysher and located him in a Castaic motel room with the girl, whom he had cut, choked, and assaulted, planning a joint suicide for that day. Court records suggest he intended to find a tall building for them to jump from.
“The victim recounted to law enforcement that he had engaged in sexual acts with her, used a knife to cut her repeatedly, and choked her to the point of rendering her speechless,” stated Essayli.
“The only thing more tragic would be if we were reporting her death,” remarked Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
The teenage girl is now safe.
Investigators assert that Pysher’s sadistic behavior demonstrates nihilistic, violent extremism (NVE) linked to a group known as “764,” an online extremist network targeting children for sexual exploitation and self-harm.
“NVEs involve individuals engaging in criminal behavior within the U.S. to further aims largely motivated by societal hatred,” Essayli noted.
The FBI reports it is investigating over 450 cases related to this ideology, presenting an urgent warning to parents.
“Any child with internet access is vulnerable to these sick, twisted, and malevolent individuals seeking to harm your children,” Essayli cautioned.
Pysher is federally charged with traveling with intent to engage in unlawful sexual conduct, a felony carrying a potential sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison.
Investigators indicate this is the second instance involving the sadistic ideology in Southern California within just a week.
“Please remain involved in your children’s lives. Supervise their online interactions,” urged FBI assistant director in charge Akil Davis.
If you are facing suicidal thoughts or are concerned about someone close to you, assistance is available. Call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential support 24/7.
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