A federal judge appointed during the administration of Donald Trump on Tuesday denied a legal appeal from Bradley Cadenhead, the founder of the online extremist network known as “764,” upholding his 80-year prison sentence in Texas, according to court records and reporting by the Daily Caller News Foundation. Cadenhead, now 20, had challenged his May 2023 sentencing on child pornography and related charges, arguing that his trial counsel was ineffective and that mitigating factors from his upbringing were not adequately considered. U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman rejected the appeal, stating it largely reiterated arguments already dismissed in a previous state-level appeal. The ruling leaves intact one of the lengthiest sentences imposed in Texas for crimes involving the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material tied to online extremist subcultures.

In his appeal filings, Cadenhead contended that his trial attorney provided ineffective assistance by persuading him to plead guilty without sufficiently exploring alternative strategies, including the possibility of obtaining a psychological evaluation prior to sentencing. According to court documents, he argued that such an assessment could have offered mitigating evidence about his mental state, developmental history, and susceptibility to online influence. Judge Pittman, however, determined that these claims did not meet the high legal threshold required to overturn a conviction or sentence on grounds of ineffective counsel. The court found that Cadenhead had entered his guilty plea knowingly and voluntarily and that the sentencing court had already considered extensive background information. The judge concluded that the appeal largely repackaged earlier arguments that had been evaluated and rejected, and therefore did not warrant federal relief.

Federal authorities have described 764 as part of a broader constellation of loosely organized, online extremist networks that thrive in encrypted or semi-private chat platforms. The group, founded by Cadenhead when he was 15 on the messaging platform Discord, took its name from digits in his Texas ZIP code. Law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, have categorized 764 and similar networks as nihilistic extremist movements characterized by graphic violence, coercion, and the exploitation of minors. Prosecutors alleged that members used manipulation and threats to pressure vulnerable children into producing explicit material and performing degrading or harmful acts. Investigations at both the state and federal levels ultimately led to Cadenhead pleading guilty in 2023 to multiple counts of possession of child pornography, resulting in the 80-year prison term that remains in place following this latest appeal.

Court filings also shed light on Cadenhead’s personal history, which his defense team cited as a basis for leniency. Attorneys pointed to experiences of bullying, early exposure to violent online content, and social isolation during adolescence. In psychological accounts referenced in filings, Cadenhead described an incident in which he watched a particularly brutal assault video after initially believing it “couldn’t be that terrible.” According to the evaluation, repeated exposure to graphic material and immersion in online chat rooms featuring extreme content deepened his desensitization and involvement. The defense argued that these factors contributed to his trajectory and should have been weighed more heavily at sentencing. Prosecutors, however, maintained that regardless of his background, the scale and severity of the material found in his possession—and his role in fostering a network that preyed on minors—justified the lengthy sentence imposed by the trial court.

In a May 2023 document, Erath County District Attorney M. Alan Nash urged the state not to consider parole, emphasizing the disturbing nature of the evidence uncovered during the investigation. Nash highlighted materials reflecting what he described as an intense fixation on graphic violence, including content involving infants and depictions of extreme abuse. He warned in emphatic terms that the defendant posed a continuing danger to the public. The sentencing court agreed that the gravity of the offenses and the need to protect vulnerable victims outweighed arguments for a reduced term. Judge Pittman’s recent ruling reaffirmed that assessment, stating that the original court had acted within its discretion in imposing a punishment commensurate with the crimes.

The case has drawn broader attention amid heightened scrutiny of online extremist communities and their exploitation of social media platforms. Former Federal Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Dan Bongino recently referenced the 764 network during a radio broadcast, urging parents to remain vigilant about obscure online groups that target minors. He described the network as deeply disturbing and warned that many families may be unaware of its existence. Federal and state authorities continue to pursue investigations into individuals connected to similar online ecosystems, reflecting a broader effort to disrupt digital spaces that facilitate child exploitation and violent extremism. For now, Cadenhead’s 80-year sentence stands, marking a significant outcome in the ongoing campaign to address crimes that originate and spread through online platforms.