LOS ANGELES
A Texas man and convicted rapist pleaded guilty Thursday to leading an online neo-Nazi group that coerced children into creating sexual abuse material and engaging in self-harm, officials announced Thursday,.
Kaleb Christopher Merritt, 26, who used the alias “eTerror,” admitted to one count of engaging in a child exploitation enterprise, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Merritt, of Spring, Texas, is in federal custody in Los Angeles and is also serving a 33-year sentence in Virginia for unrelated crimes.
Prosecutors said Merritt was a leader of CVLT—pronounced “cult”—an extremist online network that recruited members to target vulnerable minors.
The group espoused neo-Nazism, nihilism, pedophilia and sadism, distributing graphic content and using Nazi imagery while coercing victims to harm themselves and create child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Investigators linked Merritt and other CVLT members to at least five minor victims.
“Going after dangerous pedophiles is one of the top priorities of our office,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “The only way to keep the public safe is to lock him up in prison for as long as possible.”
“This guilty plea exposes the depravity of CVLT, a criminal enterprise that systematically targeted vulnerable children,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang called the plea “a significant step toward accountability for this network of predators.”
Along with Merritt, federal prosecutors identified co-defendants Clint Jordan Lopaka Nahooikaika Borge, 42, of Hawaii; Rohan Rane, 29, and Collin John Thomas Walker, 24, of New Jersey. Borge and Walker pleaded guilty in late 2025. Rane remains in custody in France awaiting extradition.
U.S. District Judge Hernán D. Vera scheduled Merritt’s sentencing for Jan. 7, 2027. He faces up to life in federal prison.
Key Facts
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Defendant: Kaleb Christopher Merritt, 26, of Spring, Texas
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Aliases: “eTerror”
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Charge: One count of engaging in a child exploitation enterprise
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Group: CVLT — neo-Nazi and pedophilia-promoting online network
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Victims: At least five known minors
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Sentence Range: 20 years to life (sentencing Jan. 7, 2027)
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Co-Defendants: Clint Borge, Rohan Rane, Collin Walker
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Custody Status: Merritt in Los Angeles federal detention, also serving 33 years in Virginia