April 23, 2026 A man from Quebec has been charged over an allegation that he used social media platforms to promote a violent extremist network and recruit teenagers. The RCMP said 26-year-old Jeffrey Roussel was arrested Tuesday following an investigation by the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team that began in February.
Officers executed a search warrant at his home, seizing a laptop and two cellphones, and he appeared in court Wednesday facing multiple terrorism-related charges, including participating in the activities of a terrorist group and facilitating terrorist activity.
Investigators allege Roussel promoted the group known as “764” on the Telegram app and shared “graphic, violent and highly disturbing content” aimed at inspiring and recruiting victims, primarily teenagers. According to police, the activity was designed to manipulate and radicalize youth into committing violent acts both online and offline.
Canada designated the 764 network as a terrorist entity in December, describing it as a decentralized transnational group focused on ideologically motivated violent extremism. According to the RCMP, the network actively targets children and teens through platforms such as Roblox, Discord, Minecraft and Telegram.
“This group is taking more and more space on the online community. We are seeing more and more acts of this group online,” said RCMP Const. Marie-Pierre Guertin.
Authorities say members use grooming tactics to build trust with victims before coercing or extorting them into acts involving violence, sexual exploitation or self-harm.
The charges against Roussel include commission of an offence for a terrorist group, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Police noted he was not previously known to them.
The case follows other incidents linked to the same network. In February 2024, a 14-year-old in Alberta was charged with offences including child pornography and explosives-related crimes after allegedly participating in extremist group chats and sharing violent content. Public Safety Canada has described the group’s ideology as rooted in nihilism and a desire to create chaos and notoriety through violence.
Authorities are also emphasizing prevention, as the RCMP is urging parents to monitor online activity and watch for behavioural changes, including interest in extremist content, unexplained gifts, signs of self-harm or unusual communication patterns.
Suspicious activity can be reported to the National Security Information Network, while immediate threats should be directed to emergency services.
