A saga of drugs, death, and abuse has ended with 77 years in prison for an online cult leader who sexually preyed on children. But federal authorities warn his “nihilistic” movement is far from over.Prosecutors won a 77-year sentence on Wednesday for 27-year-old Kyle Spitze on charges of producing child pornography, possessing and accessing the material, and abetting the distribution of animal crush videos. Spitze helped lead the online groups “764” and “HarmNation,” which befriended and manipulated children to harm themselves, perform sexual acts, torture animals, or otherwise degrade themselves on camera, according to the Department of Justice.The sentence concludes the DOJ’s push for maximum punishment after multiple delays since Spitze pleaded guilty to his crimes in December 2024. Court records detail how Spitze harmed at least 30 victims worldwide — including two who died by suicide — with the backing of his father and fellow predators in group chats. His actions contributed to a rising form of sadistic crime the DOJ dubs “nihilistic violent extremism,” leading to what officials said was the longest-ever federal sentence for this kind of terrorist.
764 leader Kyle Spitze poses for a mugshot. (Credit: Laurel County Jail)
