A Port Macquarie man is expected to appear in Port Macquarie Local Court today (26 November 2025) charged with allegedly possessing child abuse material and destruction of evidence.
The AFP Child Protection Operations team charged the man on 6 November, 2025, after investigating a report from the FBI in relation to Australian users accessing a dark net site containing child abuse material.
AFP investigators allegedly linked the man, 64, to an account accessing the site and executed a search warrant at a Denistone East home in July, 2025.
A second search warrant was later executed at a Port Macquarie address. During this search warrant, police will allege the man attempted to delete files from electronic devices and destroy computer hard drives.
The AFP seized a number of devices and a complex forensic examination later uncovered alleged child abuse material, which police will allege the man had attempted to destroy.
On 6 November, 2025, the AFP returned to the 64-year-old's Port Macquarie address and charged him with:
- One count of destruction of evidence, contrary to section 39(1) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is five years' imprisonment; and
- Using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22 of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years' imprisonment.
The man was granted conditional police bail and is scheduled to appear before Port Macquarie Local Court today (26 November 2025).
AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham said law enforcement was committed to protecting children and identifying and prosecuting anyone involved in their harm.
"The transmission of child abuse material online is a borderless crime, which is why targeting this abhorrent crime remains a strong focus for the AFP and our state, Commonwealth and international law enforcement partners," Det Supt Needham said.
"Anyone thinking of producing, accessing or sharing material that depicts the exploitation or abuse of children should be warned that they cannot hide behind online anonymity. Police can and will use all resources at our disposal to identify you and put you before the courts.
"Every child deserves to feel safe, and the AFP and its partners will do whatever we can to protect children."
About the ACCCE
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the 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.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. 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.
