Latest news with #OperationDarkOrchid
1News
21-05-2025
- 1News
Man jailed for role on website showing computer-generated child abuse
A man who was a facilitator on a website which hosted "unspeakable" computer-generated child sexual abuse images has been jailed. Warning: Some may find details in this story upsetting. Helplines are provided with the article. Donald James Sarratt, 35, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years' imprisonment after being found guilty of possessing objectionable material relating to children and knowingly making and/or copying objectionable material relating to the sexual exploitation of children. A forensic examination of his electronic devices also uncovered child sexual abuse images of real children. He was identified in the wake of Operation Dark Orchid, which began in 2022 following a referral from the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and Department of Justice Child Exploitation Unit in the US. The website hosted over 85,000 computer generated images - 30,000 of those being realistic images depicting the graphic sexual abuse and torture of children as young as infants. 'In New Zealand, creating, possessing, or distributing material that promotes or tends to promote or support the sexual exploitation of children is punishable under the Films, Videos, Publications and Classifications Act," Detective Sergeant Daniel Wright, who led Operation Dark Orchid for the New Zealand Police Online Child Exploitation Across New Zealand (OCEANZ) team, said. 'This investigation, involving our law enforcement colleagues from the US, demonstrates our commitment to keeping our communities safe, and that we will use all resources available to us to hold to account those who prey on the vulnerability of children both in New Zealand and abroad." Homeland Security Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard said the "vast number" of images uncovered in the joint investigation was "unacceptable in any part of contemporary society". Many featured "disturbingly realistic computer-generated representations of unspeakable child sexual abuse". "This sentence for the defendant reinforces our dedication to protecting the innocence of our most vulnerable populations from such abhorrent child exploitation," he said. Any child sexual abuse material discovered online can be reported to: New Zealand Police: Call 105 or report online here Department of Internal Affairs Netsafe : Netsafe New Zealand's online safety organisation If there are immediate concerns for the safety of someone, call 111.
Otago Daily Times
20-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Man jailed for running 'unspeakable' child sex abuse website
A man has been jailed for helping run a website that hosted computer-generated child sex abuse material so graphic and 'unspeakable' a district court judge has suppressed the details of it. Donald James Sarratt was charged in 2023 as part of Operation Dark Orchid, a joint operation between New Zealand police and US authorities. That investigation centred on a website containing more than 85,000 computer-generated images, 30,000 being realistic images depicting the graphic sexual abuse and torture of children as young as infants. A forensic examination of Sarratt's electronic devices also identified child sexual abuse material involving real children. The Wellington District Court heard as one of the website's facilitators, the 35-year-old was involved in the website's upkeep, as well as assisting the almost 200,000 members with their log-ons and password issues. He was also involved in the banning and unbanning of members. He held the role for nine years. It was also revealed that Sarratt, who has no previous convictions, believed that by providing the computer-generated images it would stop people from offending in person. In May 2023, a sample of images was taken to illustrate the website's content. These weren't available to the public but could be viewed by the site's members. At yesterday's sentencing, Judge Noel Sainsbury suppressed the name of the website, which is part of an ongoing investigation. He also suppressed the descriptions of the material that had been seized, saying there was no public interest in releasing details of the images. But the judge broadly categorised the images as ranging from images of nude children, through to images of bestiality and sadism. The judge noted the children in these images ranged in age from 3 to 13 years and 'involved the grossest depravity, representing sadism and torture for sexual gratification'. 'It is difficult to imagine images that would be worse,' the judge said. As the website's facilitator, Judge Sainsbury noted Sarratt's role wasn't merely functionary but placed him at the highest level of the organisation. His actions had allowed the website to continue, he said. Judge Sainsbury ruled that a person who was involved in distributing objectionable material containing real children generally faced a higher level of culpability than someone who was distributing objectionable material that had been computer-generated. On that basis he reduced the starting point of 12 years, which the Crown had suggested, to nine years' jail. But because some of the computer-generated images investigators had found were the worst of their kind, and went beyond what was usually possible, he added a year to the starting point. Sarratt's lawyer Gretel Fairbrother submitted a psychiatric report suggesting Sarratt exhibited traits of autism spectrum disorder. But Crown prosecutor Wilber Tupua said there was no nexus between Sarratt's undiagnosed personality issues and the offending, so he shouldn't receive any credit for it. Judge Sainsbury agreed. The judge did agree with Fairbrother that Sarratt's guilty pleas and cooperation with the police, whose investigation is ongoing, warranted a discount. Sarratt's family 'bewildered' Judge Sainsbury also referred to letters he'd received from Sarratt's family. 'It is clear that they are as bewildered as anyone that he is before the court. They speak to someone who, in their experience, is gentle, loyal, and caring towards family. They find it simply bewildering that he would be involved in anything involving harm to a child,' the judge said. Judge Sainsbury said notwithstanding the offending, it was clear his family saw Sarratt's 'good aspects' and remained supportive of him. 'You are lucky to have that support,' the judge said. Judge Sainsbury said while it was clear Sarratt held a genuine, but misguided belief, that by providing computer-generated images he was assisting those with a predilection for child sexual abuse material not to offend in person, that required more evidence than a statement at sentencing to carry any weight. On charges of possessing and distributing objectionable child sexual abuse material, Sarratt was jailed for five years and six months. Police say images depict 'unspeakable' child abuse Following Sarratt's sentencing police released a statement. The officer in charge of Operation Dark Orchid, Detective Sergeant Daniel Wright, said the sentence was a testament to the thorough investigation conducted by New Zealand Police and US law enforcement. 'This investigation, involving our law enforcement colleagues from the US, demonstrates our commitment to keeping our communities safe, and that we will use all resources available to us to hold to account those who prey on the vulnerability of children both in New Zealand and abroad,' he said. Travis Pickard from the Department of Homeland Security Investigations said they worked with law enforcement partners from across the globe to stop those who produce and distribute child sexual abuse materials. 'The vast number of images uncovered in this joint investigation - many featuring disturbingly realistic computer-generated representations of unspeakable child sexual abuse - is unacceptable in any part of contemporary society. 'This sentence reinforces our dedication to protecting the innocence of our most vulnerable populations from such abhorrent child exploitation,' he said.
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Scoop
Police Acknowledge Sentencing Of Donald Sarratt In Child Sexual Abuse Material Case
Press Release – New Zealand Police The operation, dubbed Operation Dark Orchid, commenced in 2022 following a referral from the United States of America, Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Department of Justice Child Exploitation Unit. Police acknowledge the sentence handed down to Donald James Sarratt in the Wellington District Court today, for his role as a facilitator of a website which hosted computer-generated child sexual abuse material. Sarratt, 35, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years' imprisonment after being found guilty of possessing objectionable material relating to children and knowingly making and/or copying objectionable material relating to the sexual exploitation of children. A forensic examination of Sarratt's electronic devices also identified child sexual abuse material images of real children. The operation, dubbed Operation Dark Orchid, commenced in 2022 following a referral from the United States of America, Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Department of Justice Child Exploitation Unit. The investigation centred on a website with over 85,000 computer generated images – 30,000 of those being realistic images depicting the graphic sexual abuse and torture of children as young as infants. Teams of dedicated investigators worked tirelessly to identify those responsible for this offending, resulting in the dismantling of a long-standing website whose users who sought sexual gratification from the abuse of children. Detective Sergeant Daniel Wright led Operation Dark Orchid for the New Zealand Police Online Child Exploitation Across New Zealand (OCEANZ) team. He says Sarratt's sentencing is a testament to the thorough investigation conducted by New Zealand Police and US law enforcement. 'In New Zealand, creating, possessing, or distributing material that promotes or tends to promote or support the sexual exploitation of children is punishable under the Films, Videos, Publications and Classifications Act. 'This investigation, involving our law enforcement colleagues from the US, demonstrates our commitment to keeping our communities safe, and that we will use all resources available to us to hold to account those who prey on the vulnerability of children both in New Zealand and abroad,' Detective Sergeant Wright says. HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard says: 'HSI works seamlessly with our law enforcement partners across the globe to stop those who produce and distribute child sexual abuse materials. 'The vast number of images uncovered in this joint investigation – many featuring disturbingly realistic computer-generated representations of unspeakable child sexual abuse – is unacceptable in any part of contemporary society. 'This sentence for the defendant reinforces our dedication to protecting the innocence of our most vulnerable populations from such abhorrent child exploitation,' he says. If you, or someone you know, comes across child sexual abuse material online, we urge you to report it: New Zealand Police: Call 105 or report online here 105 Police Non-Emergency Online Reporting | New Zealand Police [1]. If you have immediate concerns for the safety of someone, please call 111.
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Scoop
Police Acknowledge Sentencing Of Donald Sarratt In Child Sexual Abuse Material Case
Police acknowledge the sentence handed down to Donald James Sarratt in the Wellington District Court today, for his role as a facilitator of a website which hosted computer-generated child sexual abuse material. Sarratt, 35, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years' imprisonment after being found guilty of possessing objectionable material relating to children and knowingly making and/or copying objectionable material relating to the sexual exploitation of children. A forensic examination of Sarratt's electronic devices also identified child sexual abuse material images of real children. The operation, dubbed Operation Dark Orchid, commenced in 2022 following a referral from the United States of America, Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Department of Justice Child Exploitation Unit. The investigation centred on a website with over 85,000 computer generated images - 30,000 of those being realistic images depicting the graphic sexual abuse and torture of children as young as infants. Teams of dedicated investigators worked tirelessly to identify those responsible for this offending, resulting in the dismantling of a long-standing website whose users who sought sexual gratification from the abuse of children. Detective Sergeant Daniel Wright led Operation Dark Orchid for the New Zealand Police Online Child Exploitation Across New Zealand (OCEANZ) team. He says Sarratt's sentencing is a testament to the thorough investigation conducted by New Zealand Police and US law enforcement. 'In New Zealand, creating, possessing, or distributing material that promotes or tends to promote or support the sexual exploitation of children is punishable under the Films, Videos, Publications and Classifications Act. 'This investigation, involving our law enforcement colleagues from the US, demonstrates our commitment to keeping our communities safe, and that we will use all resources available to us to hold to account those who prey on the vulnerability of children both in New Zealand and abroad,' Detective Sergeant Wright says. HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard says: 'HSI works seamlessly with our law enforcement partners across the globe to stop those who produce and distribute child sexual abuse materials. 'The vast number of images uncovered in this joint investigation - many featuring disturbingly realistic computer-generated representations of unspeakable child sexual abuse - is unacceptable in any part of contemporary society. 'This sentence for the defendant reinforces our dedication to protecting the innocence of our most vulnerable populations from such abhorrent child exploitation,' he says. If you, or someone you know, comes across child sexual abuse material online, we urge you to report it: New Zealand Police: Call 105 or report online here 105 Police Non-Emergency Online Reporting | New Zealand Police [1]. If you have immediate concerns for the safety of someone, please call 111. Department of Internal Affairs
