Kyle William Spitze, 27, of Friendsville, was sentenced on August 19, 2026, to 77 years in federal prison for producing child sexual exploitation material (CSAM), distributing animal crushing videos, and possessing CSAM. Following his prison term, he will face lifetime supervised release and must comply with state sex offender registration requirements.

• Leadership Role: Spitze was identified as an original member of “HarmNation” and “764,” which federal officials describe as Nihilistic Violent Extremist (NVE) networks that use online extortion to force vulnerable children into self-harm, sexual abuse, and violence.

• Investigation: The FBI Knoxville Resident Agency began investigating the network in December 2023, eventually uncovering digital evidence on Spitze’s cellphone that linked him directly to the abuse and coercion of minor victims.

• Federal Milestone: Prosecutors noted that the 77-year sentence is the longest federal term ever handed down against a member of an NVE network, highlighting a coordinated Department of Justice crackdown on online predator groups.

The case was prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at eradicating child sexual exploitation and bringing online predators to justice.