Four Australian men have been charged following an investigation into an alleged international network distributing child sexual abuse material with ritualistic or satanic themes. New South Wales Police executed six search warrants across Sydney last week, leading to the arrests.
The suspects include Landon Germanotta-Mills, 26, who police allege played a leading role in the group. He was charged with multiple offences, including possession and dissemination of child abuse material, and possession of bestiality material. Germanotta-Mills, who describes himself as founder and editor-in-chief of the Underground Media Network, did not apply for bail when he appeared in court on Friday.
Three other men were arrested at a unit block in Malabar. Benjamin Raymond Drysdale, 46, faces charges including using a carriage service to make child abuse material and failing to comply with reporting obligations. Mark Andrew Sendecky, 42, was charged with possessing and accessing child abuse material. Stuart Woods Riches, 39, was charged with possessing bestiality material and accessing child abuse material, along with drug possession and reporting obligation failures.
All four men faced court on Friday and did not apply for bail. Germanotta-Mills is scheduled to return to court on 29 January. The investigation continues.
