New Jersey man arrested on federal cyberstalking charges
Marek Cherkaoui, 21, was taken into custody in Egg Harbor Township after prosecutors say he coerced a 13‑year‑old to harm herself on two occasions and later published her family's personal information.
Federal authorities arrested Cherkaoui last week and filed a criminal complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Prosecutors say the charges arise from two separate incidents in which a 13‑year‑old girl allegedly cut herself after Cherkaoui threatened to dox her if she did not comply.
Alleged coercion, livestream and doxxing
According to the complaint, the girl first harmed herself after threats and then blocked Cherkaoui. After she posted that she had hurt herself out of fear her family's home would be exposed by strangers, the complaint says Cherkaoui re‑contacted her and ordered another act of self‑harm.
Prosecutors allege he texted: "YOU NEED TO DO IT AGAIN. THIS TIME DO IT LIVE ON CAMERA."
The complaint states the girl clicked a link that led to Cherkaoui's channel and then cut herself on a livestream. She later told investigators she closed all her social accounts to avoid further contact. Prosecutors allege Cherkaoui subsequently published the names of the girl's relatives and the addresses for her home and school.
Alleged ties to extremist network and other accusations
Federal prosecutors describe Cherkaoui as connected to a loosely defined network they term "nihilistic violent extremists," which the complaint characterizes as individuals who commit criminal acts driven by a hatred of society and a desire to sow chaos and destruction.
The complaint also alleges he targeted someone who reported being groomed and sexually harassed, replying, "YOU DESERVED IT HAHA... IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL YOU FINALLY COMMIT [suicide]." Investigators say Cherkaoui later celebrated with others in the network after mistakenly believing that person had died, writing, "HEY GUYS IT LOOKS LIKE WE ACTUALLY KILLED A PERSON."
Additional allegations in the charging documents include soliciting child sexual abuse material from minors, expressing a desire to marry a 13‑year‑old, and repeatedly voicing racist and transphobic statements, including proposals to target non‑White and transgender children.
Legal status and potential penalties
Cherkaoui is being held at a Philadelphia facility pending further proceedings. The federal count of cyberstalking a minor carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. All allegations are from charging documents and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
