Man Charged With Child Exploitation Material Distribution

A referral from the Texas Board of Criminal Justice to the WA Police Force Child Exploitation Operations Squad, resulted in a proactive operation being launched in January 2026 to investigate allegations of a person in Western Australia communicating with prison inmates in the United States of America who were incarcerated primarily for child sex offences.

Based on information obtained during this operation, detectives from the Child Exploitation Operations Squad executed a search warrant on a residence in Manning on 12 February 2026.

It will be alleged the accused had been corresponding heavily with convicted child sex offenders and murderers around the world for a number of years, through both written and electronic forums.

During the search warrant, police allegedly located and seized numerous files, photos, and videos belonging to the accused that are classified as child exploitation material.

A 46-year-old man from Manning has been charged with:

• 2 x Distributing Child Exploitation Material

• 3 x Producing Child Exploitation Material

He has been remanded in custody to next appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on 20 February 2026.

The WA Police Force is committed to protecting children and holding alleged offenders to account. Specialist officers work proactively to identify, investigate and disrupt the production, possession and distribution of child exploitation material.

Child exploitation material is not abstract content. Every image or video represents a real child who has been harmed. These children are victims of crime, and the continued circulation of this material causes ongoing trauma.

The WA Police Force urges the community to understand the seriousness of these offences and to report any concerns so police can act quickly. Information can be reported to Crime Stoppers online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au or by calling 1800 333 000. Reports to Crime Stoppers can be made anonymously.

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