Today, the Justice Department announced the outcomes of Operation Grayskull, a joint effort with the FBI that dismantled four dark web sites involved in child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This operation has resulted in the convictions of 18 offenders, who have collectively received sentences exceeding 300 years.
U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida stated, “Yesterday’s sentencing reaffirms our steadfast commitment to protecting our children...Operation Grayskull has shut these sites down and delivered justice.”
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti added, “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.”
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the significance of this operation, stating, “This operation represents one of the most significant strikes ever made against online child exploitation networks.”
Thomas Peter Katsampes from Minnesota was sentenced to over 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges related to CSAM distribution. Several other individuals have been convicted and sentenced across various states for similar offenses.
The dismantled websites included sections dedicated to extreme forms of child abuse and provided advice on avoiding law enforcement detection. The FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit played a key role in investigating these cases.
The operation was coordinated by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Schiller and others from the Justice Department's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood led this initiative to combat child sexual exploitation.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood or related court documents, visit www.justice.gov/psc or www.flsd.uscourts.gov.
