Federal prosecutors say a late-night rescue at a Castaic motel resulted in the arrest of an 18-year-old from Bangor, Pennsylvania, in handcuffs and a 13-year-old girl pulled from a room stocked with disturbing items.
Authorities identified the suspect as Matthew Edward Pysher. According to the FBI and federal authorities, he allegedly groomed the girl online, traveled across the country to meet her, and may have other victims who have not yet been identified. He has been federally charged in Los Angeles and faces a potential decade-long jail sentence if convicted.
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- 1 What investigators say
- 2 Nihilistic violent extremists and online grooming
- 3 Charges and next steps
- 4 Tips and resources
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Pysher initially contacted the child on a mental-health Discord server in December 2025. According to the complaint, he then encouraged her to send sexually explicit photographs and self-harm. Prosecutors say Pysher flew from Philadelphia to Los Angeles on February 20, met the girl near her house, and drove her to a Castaic motel, where they were apprehended later that day. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and local partners are conducting an investigation, and the case is being tried in federal court in downtown Los Angeles.
What investigators say
The complaint states that when authorities entered the motel room, they discovered condoms, a knife, lubrication, razor blades, bloody tissues, a boarding pass for a flight from Philadelphia, and a Faraday bag next to the suspect’s phone. The girl informed detectives that she and Pysher had sexual relations and that he cut her several times with a knife, according to the affidavit. These details are part of the evidence that prosecutors say supports a federal charge of traveling with the purpose to engage in illegal sexual behavior, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Nihilistic violent extremists and online grooming
According to federal agents, Pysher appears to be tied to “nihilistic violent extremist” ideology, or NVE, a loose network of online groups that promote self-harm, exploitative content, and violent behavior. According to CBS Los Angeles, prosecutors believe that NVE communities target vulnerable youths and normalize self-mutilation and sexual exploitation, which are patterns that investigators have observed in this case. Court records reveal that investigators made the connections after scrutinizing Pysher’s online activities and the victim’s phone.
Charges and next steps
Pysher was charged with one felony count of travel with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity. If convicted of the felony, he may face up to 30 years in federal prison. The complaint is an accusation, and Pysher is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Prosecutors said he was set to make his first appearance in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles. Assistant US Attorneys from the Central District’s National Security Division and Major Crimes Section are handling the case.
Tips and resources
The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office is requesting anybody who feels they may be a victim or has information about the case to call detectives at 310-477-6565 or 1-800-CALL-FBI, according to a post on X. The FBI’s reference page for parents explains how to spot grooming, report concerns, and seek help to keep their children safe online. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline handles internet reports of alleged child sexual exploitation. Both pages describe how to report questionable contact and where to seek assistance if a child is in urgent danger.
