An investigation by Queensland Police Crime Command has led to a 27-year-old man being charged with 596 child abuse related offences after detectives located videos and images relating to hundreds of victims.
The investigation, known as Operation Xray Wick, commenced in February 2025 after detectives from the Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group seized electronic devices from the man's Maryborough residence.
The then 26-year-old man was arrested in relation to child abuse related offences and has been in custody since February 2025.
Over the next 12 months, specialist investigators conducted extensive digital forensic examinations, locating over 23,000 videos and images of his offending against 459 victims across multiple jurisdictions in Australia and overseas.
Investigations remain ongoing, with interstate and international partners assisting to ensure every victim is identified and supported.
Police will allege the man self-produced the child abuse material that was found on the electronic devices. It will be alleged the man had actively targeted children on social media and gaming platforms between 2018 and 2025. The victims were primarily aged between 7 and 15 years.
Police will further allege the man created multiple online profiles, posing as both males and females and that the child exploitation material was collected by the offender directly from victims through grooming and coercion. Police will also allege the man recorded his interactions, meticulously saving images and videos to named folders.
Crime Command Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Denzil Clark stated this investigation reflected the tireless work of detectives and specialist units committed to identifying, pursuing and prosecuting those involved in child exploitation.
"This outcome is the result of highly coordinated efforts between specialist investigators from the Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group, digital forensic experts, interstate and international police and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation," Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Clark said.
"Due to the volume of images and videos of children on the alleged offender's devices, the process of identification took time, skill and commitment.
"This is extremely concerning and disturbing offending. We are seeing an increasing prevalence of children being groomed, coerced, or threatened into taking and sending sexual images of themselves, often through popular apps, games, and social media sites. The trauma that this causes a child is significant.
"Our investigators will not stop and I urge parents and caregivers to continue to take active and ongoing measures to ensure the online safety of young people."
The 27-year-old man has been charged with a total of 596 charges against 259 identified victim children. Charges include:
- 244 counts of producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service.
- 163 counts of using a carriage service to procure persons under 16 years of age.
- 87 counts of engage in sexual activity with a child using carriage service.
The case is scheduled for a mention in Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 5.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child sexual abuse and online exploitation are urged to contact police.
If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services and available.
Resources and advice
- The Queensland Police Service (QPS) welcomes the introduction of Daniel's Law, a significant new measure designed to enhance community safety and give parents and carers greater access to information about certain reportable child sex offenders. Daniel's Law gives Queenslanders another important tool to help keep young people safe. It complements education, supervision and other protective measures that together help build a safer Queensland. It empowers parents, carers and community members with greater awareness so they can make informed decisions to help safeguard children in their lives.
- Who's chatting to your kids? Further QPS advice and information about reducing online risks for children.
- Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
- Help and support services for families and individuals
- eSafety Commissioner a key partner of the QPS in enhancing online safety, with a comprehensive suite of information, resources and reporting tools to ensure children have a safe experience online.
- Out of the dark #doiknowu a campaign by the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) supported by the QPS and Department of Education, providing resources to help young people stay safe online.
- Think U Know is a partnership between Australian Federal Police, Commonwealth Bank, Datacom, Microsoft, State and Territory Police and Neighbourhood Watch. It provides information on topics including sexting, cyber bullying, online child exploitation, online privacy, and what to do when something goes wrong.
