Two members from Argos have received a United States Secret Service Director’s Award for their efforts in the arrest of an offender in Ohio in October 2023 and the rescue of two children aged two years and five-weeks.
The Director’s Award is the United States Secret Service’s highest award given to individuals or agencies outside of the US.
It is only given in circumstances in which an organisation or individual has given extraordinary support to the Secret Service.
The offending was first identified by Argos in mid-October 2023 when officers identified a man in an encrypted online platform sharing Child Exploitation Material (CEM) depicting the sexual abuse of a baby girl.
Investigations by Argos identified further CEM depicting the sexual abuse of a second baby girl.
The extent of the abuse was so horrific that medical evidence suggested one of the children would not survive her injuries if she was not found quickly.
Over several days law enforcement across the globe worked tirelessly to identify the offender and rescue the children from further harm.
On 24 October 2023 officers from the US Secret Service, US Homeland Security Investigations and local police executed a search warrant at an Ohio address, rescuing both children and arresting a 34-year-old man.
On 17 May 2024 he was sentenced in the U.S District Court to 100 years in prison for his crimes.
Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson of Argos said that everyday Argos works collaboratively with law enforcement across the world to target high harm offenders operating on a range of online platforms.
“We are incredibly proud of the award received from the US Secret Service who remain a valued partner of the Queensland Police,” Detective Inspector Donaldson said.
“Whilst the officers themselves are also proud to receive such a prestigious award, the identification of the victim children and their removal from harm was the greatest reward these officers can receive.
“This arrest highlights QPS’ commitment to protecting vulnerable children and bringing perpetrators of these disturbing crimes to justice, wherever they may be.
“Law enforcement continue to share intelligence on a daily basis, working together to identify those who seek to hide on platforms they believe make them anonymous.
“Everything you do online leaves a trace, and our Detectives will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to identify and prosecute offenders.”
