Lethbridge teen faces terrorism, child abuse material and animal cruelty charges
Posted September 28, 2026 11:57 am.
Last Updated September 28, 2026 12:06 pm.
A teen is facing multiple charges related to terrorism, child sexual abuse material, and animal cruelty following an investigation in Alberta.
The investigation began after the RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) received information from the Lethbridge Police Service alleging the youth was using the social media platform Discord and was linked to the online extremist group 764 network.
The 764 network was added to Canada’s list of terrorist entities in December 2025. The RCMP describe the group as an international online network that targets young people and encourages harmful behaviour, including child sexual abuse, self-harm, violence and animal torture.
According to police, the group recruits children through online platforms including Discord, Telegram, Roblox and Minecraft by distributing propaganda that promotes violent extremism.
A 17-year-old from Lethbridge is charged with participating in the activities of a terrorist group, facilitating terrorist activity, committing an offence for the benefit of a terrorist group, distributing child sexual abuse material, possessing child sexual abuse material and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
The accused is scheduled to appear in a Lethbridge courtroom on Oct. 14. Because the suspect is under 18, the Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits the release of any information that could identify them.
The case is the latest Canadian investigation linked to the 764 network. Earlier this year, a Quebec City man was arrested in connection with the group, while an Edmonton teenager was arrested on similar charges in May 2025.
