[Content Warning: This post contains graphic descriptions that may be disturbing to some readers]
On January 30th, 2025, the United States Department of Justice released a statement on the arrest of 2 individuals residing in the United States on charges of ... "participating in a neo-Nazi child exploitation enterprise that grooms and coerces minors to produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM)." known online as CVLT (pronounced CULT).
- Colin John Thomas Walker, 23, of Bridgeton, New Jersey
- Clint Jordan Lopaka Nahooikaika Borge, 41, of Pahoa, Hawaii
Both individuals made initial court appearances on January 30th, 2025 before a grand jury.
Additionally, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, in conjunction with foreign partners, brought more charges against 2 individuals currently in prison.
- Rohan Sandeep Rane, 28, of Antibes, France
- Kaleb Christopher Merritt, 24, of Spring, Texas
Both Mr. Rane and Mr. Merritt are being charged with one count of engaging in a child exploitation enterprise.
Between 2019 and 2022 Mr. Rane, Mr. Walker, Mr. Merritt, and Mr. Borge, acted as leaders and administrators of CVLT. They were responsible for hosting, running, and controlling membership of the group.
Mr. Rane, Mr. Walker, Mr. Merritt, and Mr. Borge worked collectively to entice and coerce children into self-producing CSAM. The individuals groomed children for eventual production of CSAM by means of degradation. Mr. Rane, Mr. Walker, Mr. Merritt, and Mr. Borge, often exposed children to extremist and violent content. They often collectively targeted vulnerable victims, including children who suffer from mental health issues or have a history of sexual abuse.
Mr. Rane, Mr. Walker, Mr. Merritt, and Mr. Borge, often encouraged their victims to perform dehumanizing acts such as:
- Eating their own hair
- Drinking their own urine
- Punching themselves
- Calling themselves racial slurs
- Self-strangulation with belts
- Inserting knives or cacti into their genitals
- Pornography involving pets or animals
- Having victims produce pornography of other children
- Having the children carve "CVLT" into themselves
... in one documented instance Mr. Rane, Mr. Walker, Mr. Merritt, and Mr. Borge, escalated the harassment and tried to convince a child to commit suicide on live camera.
Often when victims refused, or threatened to notify parents or law enforcement, Mr. Rane, Mr. Walker, Mr. Merritt, and Mr. Borge, would increase harassment and begin sending CSAM footage produced by the child to their friends and/or family.
Due to the severity of the crimes — Colin John Thomas Walker, Clint Jordan Lopaka Nahooikaika Borge, and Kaleb Christopher Merritt are facing life in prison. Although, Mr. Merritt is currently serving 50 years in prison in Virginia. If found guilty, Mr. Merritt will receive an additional life sentence on top of his 50 years.
