A 27-year-old Korean American man living in Downey has been arrested in connection with the Downey child pornography case.
According to federal prosecutors and the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), Donghwan Kim was taken into custody at his Downey residence on August 27, 2025. Authorities said Kim lured minors into creating and sending sexually explicit photos and videos beginning in 2022. The FBI reported that he threatened to distribute the material to the victims’ family or acquaintances if they refused his demands, and that victims stated he coerced them into carving his name into their skin, engaging in self-harm, performing sexual acts, and taking part in additional recording.
Kim is also accused of operating online servers used to distribute child pornography. Investigators found numerous child sexual exploitation videos on his computer. The FBI said he shared these files with others and referred to himself as “og,” while using the online aliases “Ryzen” and “Lobster.”
Federal prosecutors revealed that Kim was active in 764, an extremist online network. The FBI identified 764 as a nihilist violent extremist (NVE) group that aims to bring about societal collapse. Members of this group are reported to produce and circulate child exploitation and violent content, targeting minors and other vulnerable individuals.
The FBI urged anyone with information about additional, unidentified victims to contact them at 800-225-5324. If convicted, Kim faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
