A former Australian police sergeant and high-ranking government specialist has been arrested over his alleged involvement in what police describe as an international Satanic pedophile ring that shared “devastating” material involving infants and young children.
David Turner, who previously received a Rotary Police Officer of the Year award and later secured a role with the NSW Telco Authority, was arrested on Thursday morning after officers executed a search warrant at a Sydney Olympic Park address.
Police allegedly seized multiple electronic devices, along with small quantities of methamphetamine and ketamine.
Turner has been charged with using a carriage service to access and distribute child abuse material, possessing bestiality material, and two counts of possessing prohibited drugs. He has been refused bail and remains in custody ahead of his next court appearance.
Authorities will allege the offences occurred after Turner left the NSW Police Force under the Optional Disengagement Scheme. Following his departure from frontline policing, he continued working within the NSW Government in a communications role at the Telco Authority. A spokesperson confirmed he has now been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
Turner’s professional profile had previously reflected high-level institutional trust. In 2022, he was recognised for “outstanding contributions to the NSWPF Radio Network,” credited with generating governance, stakeholder and communications strategies designed to mitigate risk and ensure seamless project delivery.
The broader investigation centers on what police allege was an online network of men who possessed, distributed and facilitated access to child abuse material through a website. NSW Sex Crimes Squad Commander Jane Doherty previously told reporters that some of the material shared was “particularly devastating,” allegedly involving children from infancy to 12 years old.
Doherty also stated that investigators identified discussions within the group referencing symbols and rituals in connection with the abuse material — claims that have heightened the seriousness of the case and are expected to form part of the prosecution’s case.
Police allege the network’s ringleader was 26-year-old Landon Germanotta-Mills, who was arrested in December. He faces multiple charges including making available child abuse material, accessing child abuse material, disseminating bestiality material, and related offences.
Footage previously showed armed officers entering a Waterloo property and escorting Germanotta-Mills from the premises.
Germanotta-Mills and three other Sydney men aged 46, 42 and 39 remain before the courts. All matters are ongoing.