Feds bust international child porn ring

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Federal authorities on Thursday marked the end of an international investigation into child pornography that resulted in nine people being prosecuted.

The investigation began in Bloomington, Ind., with a man suspected of producing and distributing child pornography. That man, David Bostic, 26, later pleaded guilty and received a 315-year sentence for creating child porn using children ranging in age from 2 months to 4 years old. Bostic’s arrest sparked an 18-month probe into other possible suspects.

Federal authorities launched what they called “Operation Bulldog” to find people who may have received the explicit material created by Bostic.

All nine suspects have pleaded guilty or plan to do so. In addition to Bostic, they include:

• Shawn Kuykendall, 32, of South Carolina – sentenced to 25 years
• Javahn Algere, 23, of Louisiana – sentenced to 12 years
• Richard Szulborski, 21, of Pennsylvania – sentenced to 15 years
• Jeremy Labrec, 22, of Texas – awaiting acceptance of guilty plea
• Danny L. Druck, 58, of Kentucky – sentenced to 8 years
• Chris Reid, 37, of Michigan – sentenced to 35 years
• Todd King, 41, of California – sentenced to 8 years
• Nicholas King, 28, of Washington – signed agreement to plead guilty

Authorities connected to the case said more than two dozen children were rescued as a result of the investigation.

“The horrific crimes committed against them cannot be undone, but through Operation Bulldog, it is our belief that they have been given a voice and that justice has been done on their behalf,” said Josh Minkler, First Assistant U.S. Attorney.