Two South African men have been arrested in the United States in separate cases involving allegations of child sexual abuse material, with one potentially facing up to 85 years in prison if convicted.

According to Cape Town Etc, the arrests took place in Oklahoma and Ohio during October 2026, following investigations into alleged online activity involving illegal material depicting minors.

The two cases are unrelated.

South African arrested in Oklahoma

Vico Waldemar Du Toit, 42, was arrested in Oklahoma after investigators allegedly traced the uploading of child sexual abuse material to an internet connection in Grady County.

According to the Grady County Sheriff's Office, authorities received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children concerning illegal content allegedly uploaded in the area.

Investigators traced the activity to an internet address near Dibble and obtained search warrants.

Du Toit, a South African national living in the US on a work visa, allegedly admitted to uploading and sharing the material through his Kik account.

He was arrested on eight counts involving the unlawful use of a computer system, as well as possession of child pornography.

Du Toit was subsequently detained at the Grady County Jail.

Second South African faces 11 charges

In a separate investigation, 28-year-old Arno Andries Francois Venter was arrested on 16 October in North Olmsted, Ohio.

His arrest followed an encounter with members of the online vigilante group Predator Poachers at the Walmart store where he worked.

According to Cape Town Etc, citing court records reported by Daily Maverick, a Cuyahoga County grand jury indicted Venter on 21 October.

He faces 11 criminal counts, including five relating to sexually oriented material involving minors, five involving the unlawful use of minors in nudity-related material or performances and one count of possessing criminal tools.

Up to 85 years in prison

Under Ohio law, the charges involving minors are classified as second-degree felonies, each carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 12 years.

Venter could face a maximum combined sentence of 85 years if convicted on all charges and the court orders the maximum applicable sentences to run consecutively.

However, no sentence has been imposed.

Both South African men remain subject to the US criminal justice process and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.