Four Australians remain locked up after being charged for alleged involvement in a satanic child sexual abuse material ring.
Detectives busted an apparent Sydney-based pedophile network they claimed was actively involved in possessing, distributing and facilitating child sexual abuse involving ritualistic or satanic themes.
NSW Police executed six search warrants across Sydney late last week, including in Waterloo where they arrested 26-year-old Landon Germanotta-Mills.
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Germanotta-Mills, who police allege played a leading role in the group, was charged with numerous offences including possession of child abuse material, making available child abuse material, and disseminating and possessing bestiality material.
He faced court on Friday but did not apply for bail, and will return to court on 29 January.
Germanotta-Mills describes himself as the founder and editor-in-chief of independent news site the Underground Media Network, which boasts it is committed to “exposing institutional abuse, systemic failures and the misuse of power”.
“Founded by journalist Landon Germanotta-Mills, the platform is survivor-led, trauma-informed, and legally aware – built by and for those impacted by the systems we investigate,” the website reads.
With the help of the riot squad, police also executed search warrants in Ultimo and Malabar.
At a unit block in Malabar, detectives arrested three men who all faced court on Friday, with none applying for bail.
Benjamin Raymond Drysdale, 46, was charged with using a carriage service to make child abuse material along with failing to comply with reporting obligations and a drug possession charge.
Mark Andrew Sendecky, 42, was charged with both possessing and accessing child abuse material.
And Stuart Woods Riches, 39, was charged with possessing bestiality material and accessing child abuse material along with failing to comply with reporting obligations and drug possession.