764 Member Charged with Plot to Kill Two FBI Special Agents and a Federal Prosecutor and to Steal Incriminating Evidence from FBI

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Aaron Corey, a.k.a. "Baggeth," age 23, of Albany, New York, has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with attempted murder for hire, solicitation of a crime of violence, and obstruction of justice, related to his attempts to hire a hit man kill the two FBI Special Agents and the Assistant United States Attorney ("AUSA") assigned to investigate and prosecute him in an unrelated federal criminal case.

First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division Craig Tremaroli made the announcement.

The complaint, which was unsealed today, alleges that Corey self-identifies as a member of the "764," a criminal organization of Nihilistic Violent Extremists operating within the United States and abroad. Among other things, those involved with the 764 network methodically target vulnerable, underage populations by using social media to encourage the possession, production, and sharing of extreme gore media and child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

The complaint further alleges that Corey, who is being detained pending trial on unrelated federal child pornography charges, sent multiple letters to another inmate asking for help to hire someone to steal from the FBI the electronic devices seized from him for use at his upcoming trial and to murder the two FBI agents and the AUSA assigned to that case. Specifically, Corey allegedly directed that the victims be kidnapped, injected with fentanyl, and then put through a woodchipper. When the AUSA assigned to Corey's case left the U.S. Attorney's Office to take another job, Corey allegedly updated his request and added to his hit list the name of the AUSA who took over the case.

According to the complaint, the inmate who received Corey's letters sent them to his attorney, who informed the FBI, and at the FBI's request the other inmate provided the phone number of an undercover law enforcement officer (the "UC") to Corey. The complaint further alleges that Corey, believing the UC to be a real hit man, wrote a letter to the UC offering to pay $200 down and $5,000 total for his electronic devices to be stolen from the FBI and $500 down and $30,000 total for the two FBI agents and the recently assigned AUSA to be murdered, reiterating his desire for them to be put through a woodchipper, this time asking for a video recording. Corey allegedly spoke with the UC multiple times and arranged for his fiancée, who lives abroad, to send the requested down payments of $200 and $500 to the UC, which she did.

"I commend the quick work of the FBI in investigating and disrupting this alleged and depraved murder-for-hire scheme. Their swift actions brought an immediate end to this disturbing situation involving an Assistant United States Attorney in my office and two FBI Special Agents. We will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law," said First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. "Let me be clear: any attempt to obstruct justice or to harm federal law enforcement officials or federal prosecutors will be met with the full weight of the Department of Justice. My office will continue to tirelessly prosecute all 764 members and other Nihilistic Violent Extremists, whose violent and anti-social goals have no place in civilized society and will not be tolerated."

FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli said, As alleged in the criminal complaint, Mr. Corey ordered the gruesome murder of two FBI Special Agents and an Assistant United States Attorney. He quickly found out just how seriously the FBI takes threats of violence, especially those directed toward law enforcement. His alleged plot was a depraved effort to rid himself of the serious federal charge he was facing, but it only resulted in additional charges that, if convicted, will significantly extend his time in federal prison. This sadistic behavior is exactly why the FBI is deeply committed to relentlessly investigating the sick individuals in the dangerous 764 network that aim to spread violence and chaos in our society.

Corey was arraigned on the new charges today in Albany, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart and will remain in pretrial detention. The charges in the complaint carry a combined maximum sentence of 50 years in prison, a fine of up to $750,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 5 years. A defendant's sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute(s) the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The charges pending against Corey in the underlying receipt of child pornography case and in the complaint described above are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent of all charges unless and until proven guilty.

FBI is investigating the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry is prosecuting the case.