A Pennsylvania man, Matthew Edward Pysher, 18, of Bangor, has been arrested in Castaic and faces federal charges after allegedly grooming a 13-year-old girl to send sexually explicit material and images of self-harm over the internet. The case involves what law enforcement described as behavior consistent with nihilistic violent extremist (NVE) ideology. Authorities rescued the minor from a Santa Clarita Valley motel.
Pysher was taken into custody late Friday and is scheduled for an initial appearance in United States District Court in Los Angeles. He is charged with travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, which carries a potential sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison.
“The facts charged in this case are chilling,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “If your children have access to use the internet, sadistic predators may have access to your kids. Law enforcement will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who seek to harm children. We advise parents to keep their kids offline.”
Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, stated: “The subject arrested this weekend is one of a growing number of alleged nihilistic violent extremists who prey on children and talk them into compromising sex acts and self-mutilation. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to finding and holding accountable these sadistic predators and ensuring they face serious consequences for their vile acts.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna added: “Violent online exploitation that targets our children through manipulation, coercion, and fear has absolutely no place in our communities, whether on our streets or behind a computer screen. Because of the swift and coordinated efforts of local and federal law enforcement, and the decisive action of a vigilant mother who immediately contacted law enforcement, this young victim was safely recovered, and further harm was prevented. We will continue to work with our local and federal partners, using every investigative tool available, to protect our youth and hold predators accountable in Los Angeles County.”
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Pysher began grooming the victim between December 2025 and February 20 by encouraging her to send sexually explicit material as well as images depicting acts of self-harm. The victim met Pysher through Discord on a server focused on mental health issues.
On February 10, after noticing concerning behavior from her daughter linked to someone named “Matthew” she had met online, the victim’s mother alerted the FBI. Ten days later, Pysher traveled from Pennsylvania to Los Angeles where he met the girl near her home before taking her to a motel.
When officers entered the motel room they found condoms, a knife, lubricant, razor blades, bloody tissues as well as Pysher’s boarding pass from Philadelphia. A faraday bag used for blocking electronic signals was also found near his cellphone. The girl told authorities that she had engaged in sexual activity with Pysher who had used a knife during repeated incidents of cutting.
Law enforcement reviewing both digital evidence from devices involved believe that Pysher is associated with NVE ideology—a movement characterized by hatred toward society at large coupled with aims for chaos or destruction through targeting vulnerable individuals including minors via social media platforms.
NVEs reportedly use various tactics such as extortion or blackmailing victims into compliance involving acts like self-mutilation; sexual exploitation; violence against others or animals; threats related to suicide or murder.
Officials emphasized that complaints contain only allegations until proven beyond reasonable doubt.
The investigation is being led by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force—which includes agencies such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department—alongside other state and local partners.
Prosecution will be handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Colin S. Scott (National Security Division) and Brandon E. Martinez-Jones (Major Crimes Section).
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California focuses on prosecuting federal criminal cases while handling civil matters for government interests (official website). It works closely with other agencies at all levels for public safety initiatives (official website). The office serves more than 19 million residents across seven counties (official website) under leadership roles such as United States Attorney E. Martin Estrada (official website), while supporting community outreach programs focused on victim assistance (official website).
Every defendant remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
