A NSW man will face Raymond Terrace Local Court today (12 December, 2025) charged with seven online child abuse offences.
The AFP began an investigation after the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from the United States National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about an online user uploading child abuse material on social media platforms.
AFP investigators allegedly linked the Raymond Terrace man, 32, to the illegal online activity.
A search warrant was executed at a Raymond Terrace house yesterday (11 December, 2025) where investigators located and seized a mobile phone and a USB device.
A preliminary examination of the mobile phone identified multiple alleged online conversations with minors and a hidden application allegedly containing child abuse material. The AFP will allege the man had discussions with people in the Philippines and transferred money for child abuse material.
The man was charged with:
- One count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- Two counts of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22 (1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- Two counts of using a carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted, contrary to section 474.22 (1)(a)(ii) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- Two counts of using a carriage service to groom another person to make it easier to procure persons under 16 years of age, contrary to section 474.27AA(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
These offences each carry a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham said the AFP's priority was to protect children.
"Sharing child abuse material online is a crime that crosses borders, which is why the AFP continues to work with our partners to combat this appalling offending," Det Supt Needham said.
"If you think producing, accessing or distributing material that exploits children will go unnoticed, think again. We have the capability and determination to identify you and bring you before the courts.
"Every child deserves to be safe and the AFP and our partners will use every resource available to protect them."
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.
