La Derecha Diario The FBI dismantled a massive global child abuse network on the 'Dark Web.'
The United States Department of Justice managed to dismantle a massive global network of child abuse and child pornography
In November 2022, agents from the FBI carried out a high-risk operation in the quiet town of Madison, Alabama, to arrest William Spearman, known as "Boss," one of the world's leading distributors of child sexual abuse material.
The operation culminated in Spearman's arrest after a violent confrontation, during which he was close to reaching three firearms. His subsequent life sentence marked a milestone in the federal investigation known as Operation Grayskull.
The operation, launched in 2020 during Trump's first term, after detecting an increase in traffic to a suspicious site on the dark web, enabled the dismantling of a vast international child exploitation network.
How the dark platform operated.
In total, four active platforms were shut down that hosted images and videos of extreme sexual violence against minors. These sites amassed more than 120,000 members, millions of illegal files, and up to 100,000 daily visits.
The investigation has resulted in the conviction of at least 18 individuals involved in the administration or distribution of these illicit materials through the deep Internet.
Prosecutors and FBI agents indicate that participants in these networks typically "earned" their access through paying fees, moderating content, or directly contributing abusive material.
Who participated in this criminal network.
Among those convicted is Selwyn Rosenstein, sentenced to 28 years in prison in 2022 for operating such a site. According to prosecutors, his platform was not only a source of illegal content, but also an active community of pedophiles.
Another convicted individual is Matthew Garrell, sentenced to 20 years in prison for his participation in the pedophilia network. According to court documents, Garrell participated in an extremely complex conspiracy, which included advanced use of technology and possession of detailed manuals for the harassment and abuse of minors.
"They are individuals with advanced technical knowledge," stated Matthew Galeotti, head of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. "That's why we need agents and prosecutors with an equally sophisticated understanding of technology."
"One of the most successful investigations of all time"
The joint effort between the FBI and Trump's Department of Justice has led to the capture of criminals in several states, including Virginia, Maryland, Indiana, Texas, Washington, Arkansas, Michigan, and Oklahoma.
Chris Delzotto, deputy director of the FBI, highlighted the magnitude of the network: "They were part of an organized community of hundreds of thousands of people, with hierarchies, rules, and a common purpose."
"This has been one of the most successful investigations of all time," stated the aforementioned Galeotti. "We took down four sites that have not recaused, which is very rare in these types of cases," he said.
Operation Grayskull has been key to disrupting a global child exploitation network and serving as a warning to other potential abusers.
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