A former police reservist accused of sexually violating underage boys, filming them, and selling pornographic videos on the dark web, will take the stand in August to answer for his alleged crimes.
On Tuesday, Johann Wickus Maree (51) was informed by Windhoek High Court acting judge Philanda Christiaan that the court is available to hear his case starting from 7 to 11 August.
Maree will go on trial after judge Christie Liebenberg declared him fit to stand trial last week. This was after the court was furnished with a psychiatric report from two independent psychiatrists indicating that Maree was of sound mind during the period, he allegedly committed the offences and he is mentally fit to stand trial and appreciate the wrongfulness of the alleged offences.
He will therefore stand trial on the 75 charges against him, which include 24 charges of rape, 18 charges of child trafficking, 10 charges of using a minor to produce pornography, committing indecent acts on a minor child, and encouraging or allowing a child under the age of 16 to consume alcohol.
Of those charges, the State is alleging that he sexually abused and exploited 15 teenage boys, while 13 of the boys he raped or indecently assaulted. The prosecution further claims, he used 10 of the boys in making child pornography which he then sold on the dark web.
Maree who worked as a private investigator and sports photographer was allegedly operating a website under the name ‘Boy Idols’. Through police investigations, it was discovered that Maree sold pictures of boys modelling clothes and swimwear.
According to the police, videos obtained through investigations show minors performing various sexual acts in bathrooms. Other videos were filmed in toilets and swimming pools at sporting events in Windhoek. These videos were also allegedly sold on the internet.
According to police investigator Nelius Becker who testified during Maree’s bail application in the lower court, his alleged criminal enterprise was well-organised and he tried to hide it.
Maree allegedly made use of a ProtoMail server which is highly encrypted for his transactions over the dark web. The trail of emails, however, links him to a child pornographic business on the dark web.
Becker said Maree’s work was however picked up by the Netherlands police who then alerted the Namibian authorities. The Netherlands police arrested one of their countrymen linked to Maree’s dealings, said Becker.
Through their investigations, Becker said the police were able to identify and trace the victims from the school badges on the shirts they wore while being taped.
Maree has since denied the allegations.
- mamakali@nepc.com.na