Australian authorities have charged four men in the Sydney area after uncovering what investigators describe as an international child-abuse network trading in ritualistic and satanic exploitation material. The arrests followed a months-long investigation under Strike Force Constantine, a task force created by the State Crime Command’s Exploitation Internet Unit to track online distribution of extreme sexual abuse content.
Police said detectives identified a Sydney-based group allegedly involved in possessing, distributing, and facilitating access to child abuse material through an international website. Investigators executed six coordinated search warrants across Waterloo, Ultimo, and Malabar shortly after 7 am on Thursday, November 27, with assistance from the Central Metropolitan Region Operational Support Group and the Public Order and Riot Squad.
Landon Germanotta-Mills, 26, is believed to have played a leading role in the network and was arrested at a Waterloo residence. He was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with seven counts of using a carriage service to make available child abuse material, using a carriage service to access child abuse material, three counts of possessing child abuse data, two counts of disseminating bestiality material, and possessing bestiality material. Police said he was refused bail ahead of an appearance in the Bail Division Local Court 7 on November 28.
Germanotta-Mills is described as a journalist and the founder of the Underground Media Network, an “independent Australian investigative journalism platform committed to exposing institutional abuse, systemic failures, and the misuse of power.” The outlet is “survivor-led, trauma-informed, and legally aware — built by and for those impacted by the systems we investigate.” Among the stories run by the outlet are those on “child care.”
In a January 2024 post, Germanotta-Mills wrote that he is Indigenous Australian, adding that “my roots are deeply entwined with the land and its ancient stories,” in reference to Australia Day, which is celebrated on January 26. “The 26th of January is a complex day for many of us. While we hold profound love for being Australian and embracing the rich diversity and spirit of our nation, this date also marks a moment of solemn remembrance and mourning,” he wrote.
On social media, Germanotta-Mills claims to have gone to Knox Grammar School, the elite boys’ school in Sydney that costs $42,000 per year. A spokesperson for the school told the Daily Mail that there are no records of him attending. Germanotta-Mills is also a fan of Lady Gaga, with the Daily Mail reporting that he changed his name from Mills to Germanotta-Mills, mirroring the legal name of the pop star, Stefani Germanotta. Just days before his arrest, Germanotta-Mills wrote on Facebook that he was set to see the pop star in concert in a few weeks. “It’s been 14 years since I last saw her – 14 years is way too long! But in less than 17 days, I’ll finally be able to see her again.”
At a unit block in Malabar, detectives arrested three additional suspects, ages 46, 42, and 39. All were transported to Maroubra Police Station for processing. The 46-year-old man, Benjamin Raymond Drysdale, was charged with using a carriage service to make available child abuse material, two counts of contravening a prohibition order, two counts of failing to comply with reporting requirements, and possessing a prohibited drug. Mark Andrew Sendecky, the 42-year-old suspect, was charged with possessing child abuse data, accessing child abuse material through a carriage service, and possession of child abuse material.
The youngest of the group, 39-year-old Stuart Woods Riches, was charged with possession of child abuse material, possession of bestiality material, accessing child abuse material online, five counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations, and two counts of drug possession. All three were denied bail and ordered to appear in the Bail Division Local Court 6.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out as forensic analysts review evidence seized during the raids.
