Bail Hearing Postponed for Gauteng Couple Facing Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges

Posted on February 4, 2025
by Yashmika Dukaran


The bail proceedings for Gauteng couple Darryn Wilken (35) and Tiona Moodley (25), who are facing multiple charges related to the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), have been postponed until the end of the week. The state is opposing their bail, citing serious concerns regarding their involvement in illegal activities and potential flight risk.

Wilken and Moodley were arrested last month following a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and local authorities. The investigation began after a sextortion complaint was reported in the United States, which led to the identification of Wilken as the administrator of a website called DankMegas, where CSAM was being distributed.

State prosecutor Colleen Ryan outlined how the investigation revealed that Wilken and Moodley were involved in money laundering activities. Wilken allegedly earned R50,000 a month from selling online content, but between 2023 and 2024, his income exceeded R3 million. Investigators also uncovered evidence of substantial financial transactions linked to cryptocurrency accounts, with Moodley reportedly receiving nearly R1.5 million in income over the same period.

Moodley, who claims to be unemployed and reliant on Wilken for financial support, is also accused of aiding in the transfer of illicit funds between accounts. The state presented evidence that Moodley had attempted to tamper with evidence, including an Excel spreadsheet detailing online pornographic packages and communication logs linking the accused to CSAM storage platforms.

Further complicating the case, the couple's international travel to countries with high rates of child trafficking and exploitation, including Thailand, raises concerns about their ability to evade justice. During their arrest, authorities discovered over R600,000 in cash on their premises and learned that they have access to cryptocurrency accounts that have not yet been fully blocked.

Both Wilken and Moodley have pleaded not guilty to all charges and claim they can afford bail of R5,000 each. The court will continue to deliberate on the matter, with the state urging that they be denied bail due to the severity of the charges, the evidence against them, and their potential to flee.