A Humpty Doo man is expected to appear in Darwin Local Court today (25 September, 2025) charged with allegedly soliciting sexually explicit images from an undercover officer who was posing as a child.
The man, 55, was charged yesterday (24 September, 2025).
An investigation began in March, 2025, when the Northern Territory Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (NT JACET) - comprising AFP and NT Police members - received a report from the United States' Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) about an online user allegedly soliciting sexually explicit images from an undercover law enforcement officer pretending to be a 14-year-old girl in the United States.
AFP investigators allegedly linked the man to the illegal online activity and executed a search warrant in April 2025 at his home, where they seized a mobile phone. Forensic analysis of the device allegedly found sexually explicit images which linked the man to the initial report from HSI and he was charged with:
- One count of procuring a child to engage in sexual activity outside of Australia contrary to section 272.14(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of using of a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to a person under 16 years of age contrary to section 474.27A(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The respective maximum penalty for these offences is 15 years' and 10 years' imprisonment.
AFP Superintendent Greg Davis said the AFP was relentless in its pursuit of offenders seeking to harm children online.
"The work of the NT JACET is pivotal to protecting children, wherever they live, and to ensure anyone who tries to harm them is identified and brought before the courts," Det Supt Davis said.
"For those who seek to harm our vulnerable young people, know that there is nowhere to hide."
Northern Territory Police Acting Senior Sergeant Sarah Firth said these actions are atrocious, and the NT Police Force will not stop in our pursuit to uncover anyone who seeks to harm children.
"We will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to ensure offenders are held accountable," a/Sgt Firth said.
"Trust that if you are engaging in these crimes, you will be found next."
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.
