An Adelaide man is expected to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court today (16 April, 2026) charged after he allegedly coerced a teenager into producing self‑generated child abuse material.
The AFP will allege the man, 45, posed as a youth himself to manipulate the teenager and also sold child abuse material online.
The AFP and South Australia Police, through the South Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (SA JACET), arrested the man yesterday (15 April, 2026) after investigating a report from NSW Police Force about a person using social media and messaging platforms to allegedly groom a child.
SA JACET will allege the 45-year-old man was linked to the online account involved. Police executed a search warrant in Adelaide yesterday, where they found alleged child abuse material on electronic devices, including mobile phones and desktop computers.
These electronic devices have been seized for further forensic examination.
The man was charged with:
- One count of grooming persons under 16 years of age using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.27 of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of using a carriage service for child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
Each of these offences carries a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective acting Superintendent Andrew Rogers said SA JACET and its Commonwealth, State and Territory and international partners worked tirelessly to protect children from harm.
"Anyone preying on children online should not think the internet provides them anonymity or protection from real-world consequences. SA JACET and its law enforcement partners have the tools and capabilities to identify them and bring them before the courts," Det a/Supt Rogers said.
"Children deserve safety, dignity and protection - and the AFP remains committed in its pursuit of anyone involved in online child exploitation."
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.
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.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. 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 are available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
