Over a dozen men have been charged with sex crimes in Australia following an American FBI investigation that proved fatal for two agents.
Officials announced Tuesday that 19 men had been arrested and charged with a combined 138 offenses in connection to an international pedophile ring.
“We will allege that these men were members of a technologically sophisticated online child abuse network that was operating across the country,” Australian Federal Police Commander Helen Schneider told news outlets.
In this undated photo provided by the Australian Federal Police, a suspect’s computer is displayed on a desk. Police have charged 19 men in Australia with child sex abuse offenses and rescued 13 children from further harm following tipoffs from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation officials said on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. (Australian Federal Police via AP)
Two of the suspects have already been convicted and sentenced, according to authorities.
Those convicted are set to serve approximately 15 years in the Australian Capital Territory and five years in New South Wales.
Thirteen children were rescued in the operation, but the circumstances of the victims have not been made public.
In this undated photo provided by the Australian Federal Police, a suspect’s cell phones are displayed. (Australian Federal Police via AP)
The Australian investigation began following a fatal shoot-out between FBI agents and an American suspect tied to the criminal group.
FBI special agents Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger were killed in 2021 while attempting to execute a search warrant for child pornography in Florida.
Suspect David Lee Huber, 55, fired a rifle through the door and killed the pair of agents, wounding three others. He then turned the gun on himself.
FBI special agent Laura Schwartzenberger was killed Feb. 2, 2021.
“[Alfin and Schwartzenberger] were the best the FBI has to offer. Laura was not only a colleague but a close friend. You will not find more stalwart, honorable and hardworking agents than Dan and Laura,” former FBI Special Agent Nicole Parker said.
Parker served in the agency’s Miami Division.
“We often spoke and Laura struggled with the darkness she saw, but her faith in God carried her through. These are the fine men and women that make the FBI proud.”
FBI special agent Daniel Alfin was killed alongside fellow special agent Laura Schwartzenberger while executing a search warrant related to the international pedophile ring. (FBI)
“There is so much scandal these days but this is the work the FBI should be focusing on. I will not allow her legacy to be tainted by those who are ruining the reputation of the entire FBI,” Parker said.
