Federal authorities have announced the results of Operation Grayskull, an investigation that broke up four “dark web” websites used to share images and videos of child sexual abuse.
The operation has led to 18 convictions in the United States alone, with offenders collectively sentenced to more than 300 years in prison – and counting, according to the DOJ.
Among those convicted is Thomas Peter Katsampes, a 52-year-old man from Eagan, Minnesota, who was sentenced this week to more than 20 years in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release. Court documents show that Katsampes started as a browser on one of the dark web sites and later rose to a leadership role, helping moderate the child abuse platform, enforce posting rules for illegal content, and coached other users on how to avoid detection from law enforcement as a predator.
Katsampes was also ordered to pay $23,000 in restitution to victims connected to the investigation.
Authorities say the sites operated by Katsampes and his co-conspirators were among the most disturbing corners of the dark web: some even specifically dedicated to abuse of infants and toddlers. Despite their efforts, the FBI, working in collaboration with other international law enforcement agencies, claims to have infiltrated, monitored, and completely dismantled this specific pocket of online predators.
“This operation represents one of the most significant strikes ever made against online child exploitation networks,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “We’ve not only dismantled dangerous platforms on the dark web, but we’ve also brought key perpetrators to justice and delivered a powerful message: you cannot hide behind anonymity to harm children.”
In addition to Katsampes, eight others were sentenced in Florida, most of whom played key roles in managing and maintaining the largest of the four (now offline) child abuse sites. One of the biggest sentences went to William Michael Spearman of Madison, Alabama, who received life in federal prison for his role in what prosecutors described as a child exploitation enterprise.
Other big convictions from Operation Grayskull include:
- Joseph Addison Martin (Tahuya, Washington): 42 years
- Gregory Malcolm Good (Silver Springs, Nevada): Over 25 years
- Selwyn David Rosenstein (Boynton Beach, Florida): 28 years
- Matthew Branden Garrell (Raleigh, North Carolina): Nearly 21 years
- Keith David McIntosh (Grand Rapids, Michigan): 55 years
- Joseph Robert Stewart (Milton, Washington): Nearly 24 years
- Robert Preston Boyles (Clarksville, Tennessee): Over 23 years
The DOJ also stated that the operation extended beyond U.S. borders, with arrests and site takedowns conducted in the U.K., Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Estonia, and South Africa.
Additionally, two American suspects died before they could be charged in connection with the abuse sites.
Closer to home, Richard Smith of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. Another Texan, David Craig of Houston, received a nine-year sentence.
“Today’s announcement sends a clear warning to those who exploit and abuse children: you will not find safe haven, even on the dark web. These offenders thought that they could act without consequences, but they were wrong,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti.