Villain Edit: Landon Germanotta-Mills

Five men in Sydney have been arrested and charged with the distribution of child sexual abuse material.

Investigators allege that the material featured ritualistic or satanic themes, with thousands of files of child abuse material uncovered during initial searches.

According to reports, the material featured boys aged 12 and younger. Some of of the material included images of bestiality.

Police allege that the ringleader of the group is 26-year-old Landon Germanotta-Mills.

Germanotta-Mills has been charged with numerous offences including possession of child abuse material, making available child abuse material, and disseminating and possessing bestiality material.

He is currently being held in custody. He was scheduled to return to court on 29 January but it appears that this court date has been delayed.

Germanotta-Mills describes himself as the founder and editor-in-chief of independent news site the Underground Media Network, which boasts it is committed to “exposing institutional abuse, systemic failures and the misuse of power”.

“Founded by journalist Landon Germanotta-Mills, the platform is survivor-led, trauma-informed, and legally aware – built by and for those impacted by the systems we investigate,” the website reads.

As part of the investigation of Germanotta-Mills, police have also arrested four other men.

• Benjamin Raymond Drysdale, 46, has been charged with using a carriage service to make child abuse material along with failing to comply with reporting obligations and a drug possession charge.
• Mark Andrew Sendecky, 42, has been charged with both possessing and accessing child abuse material. Sendecky is a former swimming coach.
• Stuart Woods Riches, 39, has been charged with possessing bestiality material and accessing child abuse material along with failing to comply with reporting obligations and drug possession.
• David Turner, 42, has been charged with using a carriage service to access child abuse material, using a carriage service to make child abuse material available, possession of bestiality material, and two counts of possessing a prohibited drug. Turner is a former police officer.