A Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, man in south Walton County is one of a dozen Americans accused of participating in a global child pornography ring that distributed more than 400,000 lewd pictures and movies.

Court documents show James Freeman expressed his appreciation for being accepted into the group by posting two folders online: one labeled "mild," the other, "wild."

Authorities describe the online forum, which was encrypted to keep police out, as one of the most sophisticated pornographic networks ever.

The indictment unsealed last week in federal court in Pensacola said some of the victims were as young as 5 years old. Others were preyed upon for innocent characteristics such as wearing their hair in pigtails.

Authorities said 22 people were swept up in arrests in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Germany and England.