The Department of Justice has revealed the outcome of a far-reaching joint investigation with the FBI that has dismantled an extensive online criminal network. The operation, which spanned multiple countries and federal jurisdictions, is being described as one of the most significant strikes ever carried out against child exploitation networks. Officials say the impact will be felt for years to come.
A Global Effort to Dismantle a Criminal Enterprise
The investigation, dubbed Operation Grayskull, focused on taking down several sophisticated platforms that operated on the dark web. According to federal prosecutors, these platforms were designed to facilitate the distribution and exchange of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), a crime that has been a growing focus for law enforcement agencies worldwide. The investigation not only resulted in the removal of these platforms but also led to the arrest and conviction of numerous individuals involved.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division emphasized the scale of the operation. “These offenders thought that they could act without consequences, but they were wrong,” Galeotti said in a public statement. “Thanks to the relentless determination of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, we have exposed these perpetrators, eliminated their websites, and brought justice to countless victims.”
A Coordinated Takedown
Operation Grayskull was years in the making and required a carefully coordinated approach. Working closely with international partners, federal agents tracked the movement of data, identified administrators, and infiltrated online communities that thrived on secrecy and anonymity. Four major dark web platforms were ultimately dismantled, and more than 18 convictions have already been secured in federal court.
The FBI played a central role in the operation. Deputy Director Kash Patel called Operation Grayskull “one of the most significant strikes ever made against online child exploitation networks.” He noted that the anonymity of the dark web often emboldens criminal actors but stressed that it is no barrier to federal law enforcement. “You cannot hide behind anonymity to harm children,” Patel said, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to tracking perpetrators across digital and international borders.
Sites Designed to Evade Detection
Investigators characterized the dismantled websites as some of the most “egregious” child exploitation platforms ever uncovered. Court records revealed that these sites contained entire sections dedicated to some of the most disturbing and violent content imaginable, including the abuse of infants and toddlers. The platforms’ administrators encouraged users to employ encryption and anonymization tools to avoid detection by law enforcement.
The scale of these operations was immense. Collectively, the platforms had more than 120,000 registered users and, at their peak, were receiving 100,000 visits per day. The sites operated like traditional businesses in many ways, complete with structured hierarchies, moderators, and clear rules. Administrators even held virtual staff meetings, enforced strict posting guidelines for illegal material, and banned users who failed to comply.
Convictions and Sentences
The investigation’s success has led to lengthy prison sentences for many of those involved. One of the most significant convictions came last week when Thomas Peter Katsampes, a 52-year-old from Eagan, Minnesota, was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison. Katsampes pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiracy to advertise and distribute child pornography and was ordered to pay $23,000 in restitution to victims.
Court documents showed that Katsampes not only distributed illegal content but also took on a leadership role within one of the sites. He acted as a moderator, enforcing the platform’s rules and instructing other users on how to share material without being caught.
In addition to Katsampes, several others received severe sentences in the Southern District of Florida alone:
- Selwyn David Rosenstein (Boynton Beach, FL) — 28 years
- Matthew Branden Garrell (Raleigh, NC) — 20 years and 10 months
- Robert Preston Boyles (Clarksville, TN) — 23 years and 4 months
- Gregory Malcolm Good (Silver Springs, NV) — 25 years and 10 months
- William Michael Spearman (Madison, AL) — life in prison
- Joseph Addison Martin (Tahuya, WA) — 42 years
- Joseph Robert Stewart (Milton, WA) — 23 years and 9 months
- Keith David McIntosh (Grand Rapids, MI) — 55 years
Other defendants received prison sentences ranging from six to 14 years. Prosecutors noted that the severity of these sentences reflects the gravity of the crimes and the lasting harm inflicted upon victims.