A Canberra man has been sentenced to one year and eight months' imprisonment by the NSW District Court today (15 September, 2026) after posing online as a teenage girl to obtain and distribute child abuse material.
The man, 22, was ordered to serve three months in custody, before being released on a recognisance order. He had previously pleaded guilty to:
- One count of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- Three counts of transmitting child abuse material to himself via a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(A) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- Three counts of causing child abuse material to be transmitted to himself via a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(A) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of transmitting child abuse material using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(A) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
An investigation was launched in April, 2025, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined the man's baggage at Sydney Airport following his arrival into Australia on an international flight.
ABF officers notified the AFP after locating suspected child abuse material on the man's phone. After a review of the contents of the phone, AFP investigators arrested the man at Sydney Airport in June, 2025.
The AFP investigation identified the man had posed online as a teenage girl and received and distributed about 50 files of child abuse material between 2022 and 2024.
AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham said the AFP remained committed to protecting children from online exploitation.
"This offender posed as a teenage girl online to obtain and distribute child abuse material, demonstrating the deceptive methods some offenders use to target and exploit others," Det Supt Needham said.
"The AFP works closely with the ABF and our law enforcement partners to identify offenders, disrupt their activities and hold them accountable before the courts.
"Child abuse material is not a victimless crime. Every image and video depicts the abuse and exploitation of a child, and every time that material is viewed, shared or distributed, further harm is caused."
ABF Acting Superintendent Neil Singh said the detection highlighted the critical role the ABF plays in identifying child abuse material at the border and supporting subsequent law enforcement action.
"ABF officers utilise intelligence-led targeting, specialist capabilities and operational expertise to identify child abuse material and safeguard the Australian community," a/Supt Singh said.
"The ABF works closely with its law enforcement partners to combat child abuse material, combining the unique capabilities of each agency to identify offenders and protect vulnerable children from the devastating harm it causes.
"The message to offenders is clear: if you engage in the possession, distribution or importation of child abuse material, you will be identified, investigated and brought before the courts."
