Convictions Continue for International Child Porn Ring

SAN DIEGO — A former San Diego child counselor involved in an international child pornography ring was convicted Wednesday of child molestation and pornography, with special allegations that include bondage and sodomy.

A San Diego Superior Court jury deliberated for two days before convicting Paul Whitmore, 47, of 51 felony counts including committing lewd acts upon a child, aggravated sexual assault of a child and posing a minor for pictures and videos involving sexual conduct, which he distributed on the Internet.

Whitmore is currently awaiting his sentencing hearing scheduled for Feb. 3 and could be sent to prison for life. The former child counselor faces two years to 25 years in prison per conviction.

The case was originally brought to the attention of investigators when a group of parents were charged with sexually molesting and photographing their own children and swapping the pictures over the Internet in 2002. Since that time, “Operation Hamlet” has led to the arrest of 24 men in the U.S. and 10 convictions overseas. About six people with outstanding warrants in the case are believed to be living outside the U.S.

Prosecutors said Whitmore was one of the most active members of the ring. Investigators found child pornography he made on computers in five states, as well as in Denmark, Switzerland, Germany and Italy.

Investigators found 750,000 child pornography images during their initial bust of the pornography ring in the U.S. and Europe. More than 100 victims were identified including 37 U.S. children ranging in age from 2 years to 14 years, authorities said.

Previously, Whitmore was convicted in April 2004 on federal charges of conspiracy to sexually exploit children and sexually exploiting children. He faces a sentence between 17 years and 40 years in prison in that case.

Additionally, Brooke Lockwood Rowland, 44, a former advertising salesman from Poway who was also involved with the ring, pleaded guilty Oct. 7 to committing a lewd act upon a child and faces 15 years to life in prison.

Prosecutors and Whitmore's lawyer, Gary Roberts, have been under a judge-imposed gag order since October.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Age Verification Watch: Patching the Holes

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Ofcom Fines OnlyFans Parent Company Over Inaccurate Age Verification Reporting

U.K. communications regulator Ofcom has fined OnlyFans parent company Fenix International Ltd. $1.36 million for inaccurate reporting of its age verification measures.

Irish Government Releases Report on Sex Work Decriminalization Legislation

The Irish government has released a report reviewing a 2017 law that decriminalized sex work across the country.

Texas Bill Would Require Age Verification for Online Sex Toy Sales

A new bill in the Texas state legislature would require online retailers to implement age verification of purchasers before selling “obscene devices” to anyone in that state.

Age Verification Watch: Michigan Joins the AV Club, Some Laws Just Make No Sense

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Free Speech Groups Back SCOTUS Appeal of Georgia Strip Club Tax

Two civil liberties organizations filed an amicus brief Tuesday supporting a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal in a case involving whether a tax specifically aimed at adult entertainment establishments violates the First Amendment.

Swedish Court Rules LELO Products Do Not Infringe 'Invalid' Satisfyer Patent

A Swedish district court has ruled that a patent filed by Satisfyer parent company EIS GmbH is not valid, and therefore three products from pleasure brand LELO are not in violation.

North Dakota House Committee Questions Anti-Porn 'Public Health Hazard' Claim

The North Dakota House of Representatives Education Committee on Monday amended a resolution that would have recognized pornography as a “public health hazard,” instead replacing that language with a call for further study into whether such a designation is appropriate.

Wyoming Governor Signs Age Verification Law

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed the state's new age verification bill into law yesterday.

Florida Bill Would Auto-Filter Porn for All Users, Not Just Minors

Florida lawmakers have introduced legislation to require manufacturers to equip tablets and smartphones with a filter that would prevent all users from accessing material deemed harmful to minors, to be automatically enabled on devices activated in that state.

Show More