Two Americans Charged in Global Child Exploitation Operation
“The allegations in this case are not only alarming; they are the worst nightmare of every parent,” stated U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr.
Federal authorities announced the arrest of two leaders from a child exploitation network known as 764 on Wednesday.
Prasan Nepal, 20, from High Point, North Carolina, was apprehended on April 22 in North Carolina, while Leonidas Varagiannis, 21, was arrested on April 29 in Greece under an international warrant.
The duo faces charges for running an international child exploitation operation, representing a significant crackdown on an enterprise targeting innocent children, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
Varagiannis has rejected the allegations and appeared in court on Wednesday, contesting extradition, according to Greek judicial sources and his attorney.
“At the time of the alleged incidents, he was residing in Greece. Consequently, Greek law and courts possess jurisdiction over the matter, and extradition is explicitly prohibited,” his attorney, Xanthippi Moysidou, stated to The Associated Press.
Nepal is currently incarcerated in the Guilford County jail in North Carolina, held on federal charges and represented by a public defender.
Federal prosecutors assert that the two men targeted children as young as 13 years old from late 2020 through early 2025 across various jurisdictions under the 764 criminal network.
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“These networks employ threats, blackmail, and manipulation to coerce or extort victims into generating, sharing, or live-streaming acts of self-harm, animal cruelty, sexually explicit acts, and/or suicide,” stated the FBI.
The materials are used to leverage victims into committing violent acts and even self-harm. The network is also involved in swatting and harassment to silence its victims.
This case forms part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at tackling the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, which was launched by the DOJ in May 2006.
The initiative combines federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those exploiting children via the internet. It also aims to identify and rescue victims.
Attorney General Pam Bondi called for swift justice in the matter on Wednesday.
Varagiannis will remain in custody until a court of appeals rules on the U.S. extradition request.
Should they be convicted, both defendants could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
