Richard Anthony Reyna Densmore, a 47-year-old from Kaleva, Michigan, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a child. Densmore pled guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, which was part of a broader indictment that charged him with other child exploitation offenses.

Densmore was a member of the 764 network, a group of violent extremists who normalize the production, sharing, and possession of child pornography and gore material to desensitize and corrupt youth towards future acts of violence. He became notorious within the network by creating online "Sewer" communities on Discord, where members recruited children, including by infiltrating online gaming sites that children frequent, to cut themselves and engage in graphic sexual acts.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated that Densmore will spend the next 30 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a child and for his role in creating 764's online networks that coerced children into recording themselves engaging in self-harm, sexually explicit acts, and violence. FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized that the FBI will use all resources and authorities to arrest and hold accountable those who prey on children online.

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten for the Western District of Michigan highlighted the depraved threat posed by violent online extremists who manipulate their minor victims to commit self-harm and create sexually explicit images. He urged parents to talk with their children about this threat, monitor their social media use, and "let them know they can always come to them if they mess up." https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/member-violent-764-terror-network-sentenced-30-years-prison-sexually-exploiting-child (Nov. 07, 2024).

Commentary

The above source noted that the violent extremists of the 764 network normalized child pornography and possession of "gore material".

The term "gore material" refers to content that is extremely graphic and violent, often depicting scenes of severe injury, mutilation, or death. This type of material is intended to shock or disturb viewers and is typically used in contexts where the goal is to desensitize or corrupt individuals, particularly youth, towards future acts of violence.

Exposure to gore material can lead to various psychological impacts. The immediate reaction to gore often includes a potent cocktail of emotions and physical responses such as disgust, fear, and anxiety. These reactions can manifest physically, with symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, and nausea. Repeated exposure to gore can lead to long-term consequences, including desensitization to violence, emotional distress, increased anxiety, and even the potential for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The human brain is wired to react strongly to traumatic events, and witnessing violence, especially in a realistic or exaggerated manner, can evoke intense emotional responses. https://neurolaunch.com/psychological-effects-of-watching-gore/ (Sept. 14, 2024) and https://medshun.com/article/can-watching-gore-cause-trauma (Apr. 12, 2024).

In the above source, it mentioned one goal of the network was self-harm and mutilation. Other harms can relate to PTSD and include:

• Reliving the event: This can happen through unwanted memories, thoughts, or dreams. Children might also reenact the traumatic event during play.
• Avoidance and withdrawal: Children may avoid places, people, or activities that remind them of the traumatic event. They might also withdraw from friends and family.
• Arousal symptoms: These include being easily startled, having difficulty sleeping, and experiencing irritability or angry outbursts.
• Changes in mood and behavior: Children might show a lack of positive emotions, feel hopeless, or act helpless. They may also deny that the event happened or feel numb.
• Physical symptoms: PTSD can cause physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or other unexplained aches and pains.

The final takeaway is that these symptoms can vary from child to child, and not all children exposed to traumatic events will develop PTSD. If you suspect a child is experiencing PTSD, it's crucial to seek help from a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment and if you believe a child has been subjected to "gore material" or otherwise exploited online, report to law enforcement.