Officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have charged a 59-year-old Dubbo man with multiple online child abuse offences.
He was arrested following information provided by South Australia Police as a result of an investigation into the alleged sharing of child abuse material online.
Officers executed a search warrant at the man's residence in Dubbo, in the NSW central-west, yesterday (Wednesday, 16 Sept. 2020). Police seized a number of electronic devices that will be the subject of further forensic analysis.
The man was charged with:
- one count of possessing child abuse material obtained or accessed through a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
- one count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
- one count of using a carriage service to transmit, make available, publish, distribute, advertise or promote material, contrary to section Section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth) and
- one count of using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(ii) the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for each offence is 15 years' imprisonment.
AFP Child Protection Operations Detective Sergeant Jarryd Dunbar said child abuse victims are continually re-victimised though every download and share of this appalling material.
"The AFP is working closely with its partners across Australia and throughout the world to ensure this type of activity is detected, and those sharing this horrible material are brought to account," he said.
"Potential offenders need to be aware that law enforcement are exchanging information and working together more and more, and like this man, you risk the possibility of losing at least a decade of your life behind bars if convicted."
South Australia Police Detective Superintendent Mark Wieszyk highlighted the importance of law enforcement cooperation in child protection matters.
"SAPOL are committed to detecting and identifying persons responsible for accessing and making available child abuse material. Our investigators work tirelessly together with the AFP to stop the exploitation of children and to rescue as many children as possible from this abhorrent crime," he said.
The man is expected to next appear in Dubbo Local Court today (17 September 2020).
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report.
