Computer_Nerd

By The Associated Press

Twelve U.S. men were indicted with participating in a global child pornography ring that distributed more than 400,000 pictures and videos of children engaged in sexual activities. FBI and international authorities called the online ring, which was encrypted to keep investigators out, one of the most sophisticated child pornography operations in recent memory.

The men were charged with engaging in a child exploitation enterprise, conspiracy, advertisement of child pornography, transportation of child pornography, receipt of child pornography and obstruction of justice.

They were:
--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.
--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.
--Ronald White, 59, of Burlington, N.C.

Additionally, two other men were charged in connection with the ring but not included in the indictment. They were:
--Stepan Bondarenko, 38, of Philadelphia.
--Daniel Castleman, 43, of Lubbock, Texas.


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Source: U.S. Justice Department.

Computer_Nerd

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- After James Freeman was vetted and approved for membership in what police call a sophisticated child porn network, he posted two folders online: one labeled "mild," the other "wild."

"My thanks to you and all the others that together make this the greatest group of pedos ever to gather in one place," Freeman wrote.

Freeman was one of 12 Americans indicted last week in a worldwide investigation that ultimately charged 22 people with participating in the porn ring -- and intentionally blocking police from investigating it.

One of the men was identified as Michael Berger, 33, of Mechanicsville, Va.

In all, more than 400,000 pictures, video files and other images showing children engaged in sexual behavior were produced, advertised, traded and distributed globally in the online pornography ring, according to U.S. and international authorities.

Some victims were as young as 5 years old.

The porn ring was run like a business, FBI executive assistant director J. Stephen Tidwell said yesterday, with the lewd images used as currency instead of cash.

"This is beyond a quantum exponential leap for us to see folks that have gone to this much trouble to produce this kind of volume of horrific exploitation of children," Tidwell said.

So far, authorities have identified and rescued 20 of the children who were exploited, he said, adding: "But with 400,000 [images] we're going to be at this for years, trying to find the victims."

Australian investigators first discovered the ring and infiltrated it undercover in January 2006, according to Ross Barnett, detective chief superintendent with the Queensland Police Service.

Those who gained access to the online forum could do so only after passing a series of what Tidwell called "various benchmarks and bars to get over to get into their group."

"From our perspective, it's definitely the largest and most sophisticated and disciplined group that we have ever seen operating in this environment," Barnett said.

A 34-count indictment was unsealed Friday in U.S. District Court in Pensacola, Fla.

Computer_Nerd

to my aussie friends for getting this one going (will have to buy you a "real" beer).

Dr. Woo

So what's his Driven username? kekeke

Computer_Nerd

Oh you know I've worked cases where they were members of this site. No, I'm not going to reveal who they were, but you probably already know who they are anyways.