Darry Wilken and Partner Tiona Moodley in Custody for Possession of Millions of Child Abuse Images
Johannesburg – The individuals detained for their involvement in the possession of at least 10 million child abuse images and videos have been ordered to remain in custody.
On Monday, (3 February 2025), Darry Wilken, 35, and his 25-year-old partner, Tiona Moodley, appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, where they aimed to request bail.
Senior State Advocate Colleen Ryan contested the bail request during the proceedings.
The lawyers for the accused sought a delay to formulate a response to the state’s affidavit, which was compiled by the Investigating Officer.
Wilken and Moodley are charged with multiple offenses, including possession, creation, and distribution of child pornography, violations of the Drug Trafficking Act, and money laundering.
Additional charges include acquiring and possessing the proceeds of unlawful activities, possession of stolen property, and committing fraud.
The court granted the defense’s request and postponed the bail application hearing.
The alleged child pornography distributors are scheduled to return to court on Friday, (7 February 2025).
Wilken was taken into custody following a police raid at his Midrand residence on 17 January 2025.
Following a further investigation, Moodley was reportedly linked to the case and subsequently arrested on 25 January 2025, in Houghton.
“The arrests resulted from information shared by international law enforcement agencies with the South African Police Service (SAPS) after identifying a target located in South Africa,” stated Phindi Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in Gauteng.
“The state alleges that the accused were discovered in possession of a significant amount of cash believed to be proceeds from their unlawful activities.
“Moreover, the state claims that an investigation by the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations teams revealed evidence suggesting that the suspect was allegedly hosting and distributing child pornography internationally for financial gain.”
Mjonondwane added that electronic devices suspected to have been used by the accused to create and distribute child pornography were seized by the police, along with over 10 million images and videos related to child pornography.
“Moodley’s electronic devices were also confiscated, and it is alleged that she attempted to destroy evidence related to their operations shortly after Wilken’s arrest, in an effort to reduce her involvement in the activities,” Mjonondwane said.