South African Couple Detained with 10 Million Child Exploitation Images and Videos

Gauteng police have arrested a 25-year-old web designer in Houghton, Johannesburg, in connection with a child p0rnography case. 

The woman, who is the girlfriend of Darren Wilken, was apprehended on Thursday, January 23, following an intensive investigation by the national and Gauteng provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) units.

Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk stated that the investigation uncovered evidence linking the woman to criminal activities, including the possession of an estimated 10 million child p0rnography images and videos found on various electronic devices seized during an operation on January 17. She faces charges of possession of child p0rnography and money laundering.

The woman is expected to appear at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, January 27.

Her boyfriend, Darren Wilken, is also in custody and faces multiple charges, including possession, creation, and distribution of child p0rnography, contravention of the Drug Trafficking Act, acquisition, possession/use of the proceeds of unlawful activities, possession of stolen property, and fraud. Police seized electronic devices allegedly used by Wilken in creating and distributing child p0rnography, as well as countless images and videos of child p0rnography.