Major child ring busted - And 20 Children Rescued Worldwide (FYI - some tough reading)

[The Straight Story]

MAJOR CHILD PORN RING BUSTED
And 20 Children Rescued Worldwide
03/06/08

“Mala is to die for in those pigtails,” read one message.

“I have a few 5yo Taras that you do not have,” read another.

“Just dropping in for a hot minute … to help out the dry spell, and to give everyone something to do for an afternoon,” said still one more.

They’re hard comments to read—when you know that they were posted in a massive secret child pornography newsgroup on the web.

That sordid network was exposed this week, thanks to a global law enforcement operation spanning five countries, three continents, and 11 U.S. states. As part of the continuing investigation, a total of 22 men have been arrested, including 14 in America, four in Germany, and two each in Australia and the U.K.

Even more satisfying: over the course of the months-long multinational operation, more than 20 victims have been rescued, mostly in Europe where the pornographic materials were being produced. Investigative efforts to identify more victims—which have included toddlers, teens, and others who experienced horrific sexual abuse—are ongoing.

The international investigation was groundbreaking in three main ways:

1) It dismantled one of the largest (more than 400,000 images and videos were posted, traded, and trafficked) and most sophisticated child exploitation rings we’ve ever come across. For example, the group used powerful encryption tools to keep the operation secret and a multi-layered system to vet new members. “These people went to a lot of trouble to keep from being discovered,” said Steve Tidwell, the FBI Executive Assistant Director who oversees our national criminal programs. “They had a level of operational security that we’ve not seen before.”



http://www.fbi.gov/page2/march08/innocentimages_030608.html

[flvegan]

1. "...traded over 400,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse..."

I'm going to be sick.

Charged in the indictment are:

● Michael Berger , 33, of Mechanicsville , Va. ;

● James Freeman, 47, of Santa Rosa Beach , Fla. ;

● Ruble Keys, 55, of Medford , Ore. ;

● Gary Lakey, 54, of Anderson , Ind. ;

● Marvin Lambert, 33, of Indianapolis , Ind. ;

● Neville McGarity , 40, of Medina , Texas ;

● John Mosman, 46, of Waterbury , Conn. ;

● Warren Mumpower, 63, of Spokane , Wash.;

● Raymond Roy, 54, of San Juan Capistrano , Calif. ;

● Erik Wayerski , 46, of Round Rock, Texas ;

● Warren Weber, 56, of Boise , Idaho ; and

● Ronald White, 59, of Burlington , N.C.

If convicted of these offenses, each defendant faces a prison sentence of at least 20 years, up to a maximum of life imprisonment, in addition to applicable statutory fines.

Two additional defendants associated with this case were arrested on criminal complaints on February 29, 2008 . They are Stepan Bondarenko, 38, of Philadelphia , Pa. and Daniel Castleman, 43, of Lubbock , Texas .

[thereismore]

2. I am sure this program will be on the chopping block of President McCane. nt

[Speck Tater]

3. Just watched the movie "Trade" w/Kevin Kline

that goes inside the world of human trafficking. It's fiction, but based on factual research. I was just shocked and appalled to know that such things are going on right here in the USA. The story follows a 13-year old girl who was kidnapped to be sold into the sex trade and how her brother tried to find her and rescue her. A very powerful and moving story.

[hootinholler]

4. !