Keanu John Santo, 28, pleads guilty to possessing, distributing and making child exploitation material.

A raid on a Gold Coast man’s home has uncovered a large and disturbing collection of pictures and videos. Read what police found.

Keanu John Santo pleads guilty to possessing, disturbing and making child exploitation material.

A judge has told a Gold Coaster who admitted possessing and distributing “graphic” child exploitation material of babies and children in sexual acts it showed a “serious level of depravity”.

Police, acting on a tip-off from Northern Territory police in July last year, conducted a search warrant on the Labrador home of Keanu John Santo where they found and seized a USB and three mobile phones.

Police found the devices contained 320 images and 61 videos of child exploitation material.

A further 237 videos were found on an online account owned by the 28-year-old, the court head.

He was charged with four offences including possessing, distributing, and making child exploitation material to which he plead in guilty in Southport District Court on Tuesday.

“The videos were predominantly of penetrative sexual acts involving male adults with children ranging from newborns to 14,” Crown prosecutor Darcy Evans told the court.

“He had numerous conversations with people on the application Telegram in which he distributed child exploitation material.

“Again, the material distributed was extremely graphic.”

The court heard Santo shared 129 videos and 24 images to five different online accounts between July 2022 and January 2023.

Police found a further six images on his Google Drive account.

One of the seized phones revealed chats between Keanu and others engaging in sexualised conversation about children.

“He said he gets aroused by looking at child exploitation material and watches it perhaps once a week,” Mr Evans said of Santo when formally interviewed by police.

“He said he would watch forced arousal and agree with police that forced arousal is anal rape.

“He told police he is 100 per cent aware it’s an offence to have possession, distribute and download this type of material.”

A psychological report was tendered, which the court heard explained Santo suffers cognitive difficulties and knows right from wrong but his ability to comprehend the consequences of his actions were severely impaired. He suffers a learning disability and other mental illness.

Keanu plead guilty in Southport District Court to four charges relation to child exploitation material. Picture: NewsWire / Richard Gosling

Prior to being charged, had no criminal history and a strong employment record. He also wrote to the court explaining his remorse, all accepted as mitigating factors.

Judge Rowan Jackson said in sentencing: “The material is very serious. It was at a very serious level of depravity.

“You were aroused by looking at child exploitation material...you masturbated to it.”

Judge Jackson accepted Santo was genuinely remorseful, reflected via his guilty plea and his co-operation with police.

Judge Jackson said: “The purposes for which you’re being sentenced today are to punish you in an extent to a way that is just in all of the circumstances.

“Very importantly for this type of offending, to deter you or other persons from engaging in the same or similar conduct in the future.

“Also importantly for this type of behaviour to make it clear that the community acting through the court denounces this sort of conduct.”

He was handed a two-year sentence and is eligible for parole from January 22, where he can apply to serve the remainder of time in the community.

Upon release, he will subject to an intensive 18-month supervision order and must pay a recognisance of $500. He must be of good behaviour for two years.

Originally published as Keanu John Santo, 28, pleads guilty to possessing, distributing and making child exploitation material.