18-Year-Old Arrested for Grooming and Exploiting a Minor

Authorities reported on Monday that an 18-year-old man from Pennsylvania has been arrested and is facing federal charges. The individual, identified as Matthew Edward Pysher, is accused of grooming a 13-year-old girl online and sharing explicit images, some depicting serious self-harm.

Officials labeled Pysher as a “sadistic” predator with beliefs aligned to nihilistic violent extremism (NVE) and associated with an online group known as 764, notorious for its anti-societal rhetoric and promotion of self-harm, sexual exploitation, and violence against children.

On Friday, a man was detained in California’s Santa Clarita Valley after allegedly committing a sexual act against the girl during a motel meeting. Akil Davis, deputy director of the FBI’s Los Angeles office, expressed concern over the increasing number of extremists targeting vulnerable minors for abuse.

Pysher was reported to have engaged with the victim online for at least three months. He was apprehended on February 20 after arriving in Los Angeles, where he met the girl and took her to a motel in Castaic. Evidence collected during the arrest included items like condoms, knives, lubricant, and bloody tissues.

The FBI disclosed that Pysher had reportedly engaged in sexual activity with the minor and used a knife to inflict cuts on her. The Department of Justice announced that the investigation was initiated after the victim’s mother alerted the FBI on February 10 about her daughter’s troubling online interactions.

She had concerns that Pysher, known on Discord, was encouraging her daughter to harm herself. During investigations, the FBI discovered that the girl had sent graphic images of self-harm.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna commended the quick action of law enforcement and the young victim’s mother for preventing further harm through their timely response.

Investigations into Pysher’s online activities suggest he may be linked to a violent ideology targeting minors through social media, promoting both sexual abuse and self-harm. The Department of Justice noted that these groups often coerce victims into complying with dangerous demands.

The ideology behind NVE primarily stems from a disdain for society, aiming to incite chaos and violence. The FBI has reported a significant spike in arrests related to this extremist network, highlighting an alarming trend in online predation against children.

The recent arrests are part of a broader crackdown by the FBI on crimes targeting minors in the digital space. The agency noted an unprecedented rise in such cases, showcasing the urgent need to address these online threats effectively.