A 38-year-old Western Sydney man has been sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to the sexual abuse of children and the production of child abuse material involving children as young as two months old.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) launched its investigation into the man following an international referral from the United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
AFP officers arrested and charged the man in October 2019 after he was identified by HSI as a customer of an international child exploitation website.
A search of his home located child abuse material stored on computers and other electronic devices.
Some of the images and videos showed infants and children being sexually assaulted by adults.
Further investigations by the AFP revealed that three Australian children, aged between two months and three years at the time of the offences, had been sexually assaulted and video recorded by the man.
The AFP and the NSW Police Force's Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad - Central Coast Child Abuse Unit worked collaboratively to identify the three children and rescue them from harm.
AFP Child Protection Operations Senior Constable Craig Eickenloff said domestic and international cooperation was paramount to ensure children were rescued from harm.
"Together we are dedicated to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting those who harm children, not only in Australia but globally," he said.
United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Attaché to Australia Adam Parks said child exploitation is a global problem that required a global response.
"HSI commends the AFP for its continued focus on delivering justice for the vulnerable and bringing those responsible to justice is an important step in healing for those victimized through these horrible acts."
NSW Police Force Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty, praised the efforts of the investigating officers across all collaborating law enforcement agencies.
"These investigations are difficult and confronting for police and their dedication to ensuring those responsible are put before the courts should be commended," Det Supt Doherty said.
"NSW Police will continue to work closely with our partner agencies to protect our state's most vulnerable members."
The man was sentenced in the Downing Centre District Court today (Thursday 8 July 2021) to 30 years' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 24 years and six months, after pleading guilty to a range of offences, including:
- Two counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10 years, contrary to section 66A of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- Thirteen counts of indecent assault on a child under 16 years, contrary to section 61M(2) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- Incite act of indecency with child under 10 years, contrary to section 61O(2) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- Nine counts of use a child under 14 years to produce child abuse material, contrary to section 91G(1)(a) Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- Possessing child abuse material contrary to section 91H(2) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- Possessing child abuse material contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
- Two count of using a carriage service to access child pornography material contrary to section 474.19(1) Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
- Using a carriage service to transmit child pornography material contrary to section 474.19(1)(a)(iii) Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
A further 37 Commonwealth and State charges against the man were taken into account as part of the sentencing.
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 or report online.
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.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available at https://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/crime-types/child-protection/online-child-sex-exploitation#fsb
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at ThinkUKnow, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
