News release
Alberta youth arrested for terrorism, CSAEM and animal cruelty-related offences
September 28, 2026
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Calgary, Alberta
From: Federal Policing Northwest Region
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On Sep. 3, 2026, the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) in Alberta arrested and charged a 17-year-old Lethbridge youth for criminal offences relating to terrorism, child sexual abuse and exploitation material (CSAEM), and animal cruelty.
Following a referral from the Lethbridge Police Service, INSET began an investigation into a Discord user who was affiliated with an online group involved in ideologically motivated violent extremism. Investigators determined that the user’s online activity was consistent with that of the 764 network, which became a listed terrorist entity in December 2025.
The 764 network is a transnational online ecosystem of violent online predators who routinely lure youth and encourage them to commit child sexual abuse and exploitation, self-harm, and the torture of animals. Elements of the 764 network are known to have extreme ideological views and are victimizing children through desensitizing and radicalizing them to violence.
As a result of the investigation, the youth was arrested and charged with:
- Participation in activity of terrorist group contrary to section 83.18(1) of the Criminal Code;
- Facilitating terrorist activity contrary to section 83.19(1) of the Criminal Code; and,
- Commission of offence for terrorist group contrary to section 83.2 of the Criminal Code; and,
- Distribution of child sexual abuse and exploitation material contrary to section 163.1 (3) of the Criminal Code;
- Possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material contrary to section 163.1(4) of the Criminal Code; and,
- Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal contrary to section 445.1(1) of the Criminal Code.
The youth is scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Lethbridge on Oct. 14, 2026.
INSET would like to thank the Lethbridge Police Service for their support in this investigation.
The Youth Criminal Justice Act prevents any further release of information regarding this individual. As the criminal investigation is ongoing and before the courts, the RCMP will not be making further comments at this time.
Law enforcement agencies work diligently to make our communities a safer place to live but your assistance in remaining vigilant and informing us of any suspicious activities will help us be even more effective. Non-emergency tips can be reported to the RCMP National Security Information Network by phone at 1-800-420-5805 or online at http://www.rcmp.ca/report-it. To report an immediate threat to national security, please call 9-1-1 or your local police department.
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Contacts
RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region
fp.nwr_media-pf.rno_medias@rcmp-grc.gc.ca