The Justice Department has announced the successful conclusion of Operation Grayskull, a large-scale collaborative investigation between the DOJ and the FBI targeting illicit child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the dark web. This operation resulted in the dismantling of four major underground platforms used to distribute and promote exploitative content involving children.

Operation Grayskull culminated in 18 convictions across various federal courts, with those found guilty receiving significant prison sentences. The effort dealt a powerful blow to networks that sought to operate beyond the reach of law enforcement, delivering justice to victims and sending a stern message to offenders.

One of the most notable sentences was handed down recently to Thomas Peter Katsampes, a 52-year-old from Eagan, Minnesota. Katsampes received over 20 years in prison—specifically, 250 months—alongside lifetime supervised release and a restitution order totaling $23,000. He had pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiracy charges related to advertising and distributing child pornography.

Court documents show that Katsampes became involved with one of the seized dark web sites in 2022. His participation extended beyond merely sharing illegal material; he took on a moderator role, helping enforce the site’s rules and instructing other members on how to share content without detection. The material he distributed included horrific images involving prepubescent children.

“These offenders believed their actions would go unpunished, hidden behind digital anonymity. They were mistaken,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ’s Criminal Division. “Thanks to the relentless work of prosecutors and law enforcement, these perpetrators have been unmasked, their platforms dismantled, and justice served for countless victims.”

FBI Director Kash Patel described the takedown as one of the most significant operations ever targeting online child exploitation. He emphasized that the dark web does not grant immunity. “Anonymity will not protect those who seek to harm children,” Patel warned.

Investigators characterized the shuttered sites as among the most horrific and organized child exploitation networks ever uncovered. These platforms hosted extensive content featuring infants, toddlers, and images depicting extreme violence, including sadistic abuse and torture.

The sites also shared advice on evading law enforcement detection, encouraging users to employ sophisticated encryption and anonymization technologies. According to an FBI official, these networks attracted over 120,000 active users collectively, with some platforms logging as many as 100,000 visits in a single day.

Inside these networks, users operated within a strict hierarchy. Moderators monitored activity, held regular staff meetings, and enforced strict content posting rules. Administrators controlled access, banned violators, and maintained the digital infrastructure required to keep the sites operational.

In addition to Katsampes, eight individuals connected to one of the largest targeted websites were prosecuted in the Southern District of Florida alone. Their sentences were severe:

• Selwyn David Rosenstein (Boynton Beach, FL) — 28 years

• Matthew Branden Garrell (Raleigh, NC) — 20 years, 10 months

• Robert Preston Boyles (Clarksville, TN) — 23 years, 4 months

• Gregory Malcolm Good (Silver Springs, NV) — 25 years, 10 months

• William Michael Spearman (Madison, AL) — life sentence

• Joseph Addison Martin (Tahuya, WA) — 42 years

• Joseph Robert Stewart (Milton, WA) — 23 years, 9 months

• Keith David McIntosh (Grand Rapids, MI) — 55 years

Other defendants received sentences ranging from nearly six to fourteen years. Tragically, two suspects linked to the investigation died before charges could be filed.

The operation also had an international reach, with arrests made in countries including the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Estonia, Belgium, and South Africa. This global collaboration highlights the widespread nature of the problem and the growing effort to combat it worldwide.

Operation Grayskull was led by the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and the FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit, working in close partnership with various U.S. Attorney’s Offices and international law enforcement agencies. The initiative is part of Project Safe Childhood, a DOJ program established in 2006 aimed at preventing online child exploitation and protecting vulnerable youth.

U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne of the Southern District of Florida issued a stern warning to potential offenders: “We will pursue and prosecute anyone involved in these horrific acts without hesitation, regardless of how well they think they can conceal their crimes.”

This groundbreaking operation underscores the commitment of federal law enforcement to dismantle child exploitation networks and uphold justice. Through persistent investigation and cross-border cooperation, Operation Grayskull has struck a powerful blow to those who traffic in the most egregious abuses of children online.