Child Porn Suspects Arrested Thanks to SAPS and US Homeland Security Partnership

A joint operation by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Pretoria based members of the US Homeland Security led to the arrest of three suspects in KwaZulu-Natal, on 29 November 2016, for allegedly being involved in child pornography. The suspects appeared in the Durban Regional Court yesterday, 01 December.

The trio, aged between 29 and 47, were arrested in Bluff, Pinetown and Waterfall areas in KwaZulu-Natal after an intensive investigation by members of the Durban FCS (Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences) and Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation Unit (SECI).

The suspects were found in possession of pornographic material and illegal ammunition.

The police investigation revealed that the suspects were involved in access, sharing, downloading and distribution of child pornography.

“One of the victims is a six-year-old child, whose images were discovered by the police in the cell phone belonging to the Bluff suspect. The police investigation revealed that the victim also lives in Bluff,” said Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.

Brigadier Mohlala attributed the success of the operation to the partnership between SAPS and the US Homeland Security.

He said the police investigation is continuing and will determine whether more suspects are involved in this heinous crime.

The suspects were charged with access, possession and distribution of child pornography, sexual assault and possession of illegal ammunition. They were detained at Brighton Beach, Hillcrest and Pinetown Police Stations.

Two of the men have been named as Gavin Faustmann of Pinetown and Jacques Rheeder of Waterfall. The third man, from the Bluff, has not yet been named as he has also reportedly been charged with rape, sexual assaut and sexual grooming of a child.

The child in question is believed to be his neighbour’s six-year-old daughter.

SAPS was alerted to the men’s activities after the US Department of Homeland Security noted one of the men’s IP addresses accessing a flagged child porn site.

The three men have been remanded in custody and a will apply for bail next week.

Source:SAnews.gov.za