Federal officials are sounding the alarm about a dangerous extremist network preying on children through social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps, warning parents that their kids may already be in the crosshairs.
Chavez, who went by “Zack” and “Zack8884” online, served as an administrator and leader of the “8884” network—a group tied to a broader Nihilistic Violent Extremist, or NVE, network known as “764,” according to court documents. Officials say these groups share a common ideology centered on accelerating the collapse of society, including the U.S. government, by targeting and corrupting vulnerable people, particularly minors.
“Parents need to know what their children are doing online and must stay engaged, ask difficult questions, and not fall into the trap of believing their child is ‘just playing games’ or ‘just talking with their friends,'” said U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas. “There is darkness present within many people in this world that want nothing more than to see the United States and western civilization fail. There is no limit to the actions these individuals will take to accomplish that goal, including torturing and abusing children.”
According to court documents, Chavez’s conduct over several months was among the most disturbing federal prosecutors had ever handled. Around October 2023, he and a co-conspirator attempted to coerce a minor female into overdosing on pills during a video call—recording the act to elevate their status within the 8884 network. Weeks later, they forced a woman overseas to self-harm and perform sexual acts on camera, and extorted another victim into cutting the word “Zack” into her own skin.
The abuse continued into late 2023 and early 2024. Chavez and co-conspirators forced a minor to mutilate her tongue and kill a cat on a live video call, coerced another victim into lighting her arm on fire while being recorded, and pressured others to drink urine and attempt drug overdoses. On or about Jan. 23, 2024, he coerced yet another minor into performing sexually obscene acts.
Network’s Predatory Behavior
FBI officials described the network’s tactics as calculated and predatory, warning that NVEs use every available digital avenue to reach children. “These predators use social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, chat rooms, and video services to groom vulnerable children,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel Faith of the FBI San Antonio Field Office. “Staying engaged in your child’s online life, maintaining open communication, recognizing the warning signs, and reporting suspicious online activity to law enforcement are critical to stopping these offenders.”
“The FBI has made it a high priority to identify and arrest Nihilistic Violent Extremists who coerce juveniles into horrific acts of self-harm,” said Acting Assistant Director Coult Markovsky of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “We will never let up on our efforts.”
According to the DOJ, Chavez pleaded guilty on Dec. 19, 2025, to racketeering, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. He was arrested on Oct. 24, 2024. The FBI San Antonio Field Office led the investigation with assistance from the FBI Washington Field Office.
