Police in Sydney have dismantled what they describe as an international child exploitation network with alleged ritualistic or satanic themes, arresting four men and charging a former student of an elite private school as its purported leader.
Alleged ringleader's private school background and online persona
Landon Ashton Versace Germanotta-Mills, aged 26, was arrested at a property in Waterloo on Thursday. He was taken into custody wearing matching zebra-print clothing and used a blue beanie to shield his face. Court documents reveal he faces a series of serious charges, including seven counts of using a carriage service to make available child abuse material, accessing such material, three counts of possession, and multiple charges related to bestiality material.
According to his social media profiles, Germanotta-Mills is an alumnus of Knox Grammar School, a prestigious boys' institution on Sydney's Upper North Shore where annual fees can exceed $42,000. The school promotes itself as an environment where boys are transformed into mature young men prepared for life after school.
Online, he presented himself as the founder of the Underground Media Network, a venture claiming to expose corruption, racism, and survivor stories ignored by mainstream outlets. His publication frequently focused on alleged police misconduct and child protection issues. In a stark contradiction to his current charges, he authored an article in April accusing Australian police of involvement in child exploitation and signed another piece as a freelance investigative journalist and survivor of child sexual abuse.
Disturbing scale of alleged crimes and co-accused
Investigators allege the group operated through an online platform and possessed thousands of videos depicting the abuse of children, with victims ranging from infants to 12 years old. The men are not accused of producing the material but of possessing, distributing, and facilitating access to it. The network's alleged activities had an international reach.
In a separate operation on the same day, police arrested three other men at a unit block in Malabar. Benjamin Raymond Drysdale, 46, was charged with using a carriage service to make child abuse material available, failing to comply with reporting obligations, and drug possession. Mark Andrew Sendecky, 42, faces charges of possessing and accessing child abuse material. Stuart Woods Riches, 39, was charged with possessing bestiality material, accessing child abuse material, failing to comply with reporting obligations, and drug possession.
Court appearances and personal tributes
All four men faced court on Friday and did not apply for bail. They are scheduled to return to court on January 29 for further proceedings.
Germanotta-Mills's social media accounts painted a picture of a devoted Lady Gaga superfan—he reportedly changed his surname in tribute to the singer—who frequently expressed grief over the death of his father in May 2023. In emotional posts, he described the ongoing pain of the loss and his struggles to cope. His accounts also featured countdowns to the singer's upcoming Australian tour, with one post expressing excitement about attending a concert on his birthday.
This case highlights the ongoing and complex challenges law enforcement faces in combating the distribution of child abuse material online, particularly when linked to disturbing thematic elements. The arrests follow a significant investigation by NSW Police detectives.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
