Four online neo-Nazis have been accused of running an international child exploitation ring, coercing minors into producing sadistic and abusive pornography and then blackmailing victims who refused to continue. The indictment, which was reached on January 17th and unsealed by the U.S. Department of Justice, outlines the disturbing activities of these individuals who were part of the group known as CVLT.
The men, identified as Colin John Thomas Walker, Clint Jordan Lopaka Nahooikaika Borge, Kaleb Christopher Merritt, and Rohan Sandeep Rane, are facing serious charges of engaging in a child exploitation enterprise. If convicted, they could be sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. Walker, 23, hails from Bridgeton, N.J., while Borge, 41, resides in Pahoa, Hawaii. Merritt, 24, is from Spring, Texas, and Rane, 28, is located in Antibes, France.
The indictment reveals harrowing details of how these men allegedly coerced 16 minors into performing unspeakable acts. Shockingly, two of the victims are from San Bernardino County. The indictment describes the horrific child pornography as involving the use of pets, other children, or even foreign objects like knives or cacti being inserted into the victims’ genitals.
The methods used by these individuals to manipulate and groom children are deeply disturbing. Victims were reportedly encouraged to engage in dehumanizing acts such as cutting and eating their own hair, drinking urine, punching themselves, and carving the names of CVLT members into their skin with razor blades. These acts were designed to break down the willpower and resistance of the vulnerable children.
When victims hesitated, resisted, or threatened to seek help, the men resorted to blackmail to maintain control. Threats of distributing the child pornography or personally identifiable information to the public were used to intimidate the victims into compliance. In some instances, the group followed through on these threats when children refused to comply.
The alleged leaders of the group, Rane, Walker, and Merritt, are accused of hosting and running CVLT’s online servers and controlling membership. Walker and Borge have been arrested, while Rane has been in custody in France since 2022, facing previous child exploitation charges. Merritt is already serving a 50-year sentence in Virginia for child sex abuse crimes committed in 2020 and 2021.
This case has sparked a multi-agency investigation involving local, national, and international law enforcement agencies. The Los Angeles Police Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and various other agencies from around the world are working together to bring these individuals to justice.
The disturbing nature of this case highlights the importance of vigilance when it comes to protecting children from online predators. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that vulnerable individuals can face in the digital age. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are working tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for these heinous crimes are held accountable for their actions. The safety and well-being of children must always remain a top priority in our communities.
