A Darwin man who sent money to an offshore child exploitation facilitator has been sentenced for accessing and possessing child abuse material.
The man, 38, was sentenced by the Darwin Supreme Court on 27 August, 2025, to three years' imprisonment, to be released on a recognisance order after 12 months.
Investigations began in November, 2024, after the AFP received a report about an Australian-based person sending $80 to a child exploitation facilitator located in the Philippines.
The Darwin man was subsequently linked to the payment.
The NT Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team, comprised of AFP and NT Police Force officers, executed a search warrant at a home in Karama that month.
They seized three devices containing child abuse material.
The man was charged and pleaded guilty to the following offences:
- Two counts of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- Two counts of accessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Yarrow said children were not commodities to be exploited for the gratification of predators.
"Offenders are warned - you cannot remain anonymous in the online environment and every action can be traced," Det a/Supt Yarrow said.
"If you play a part in the exploitation of children, we will find and prosecute you to the full extent of the law."
NT Police Force Detective Senior Sergeant Toby Wilson said the man's actions were reprehensible.
"Anyone who creates, distributes or procures child abuse material should be aware that it is only a matter of time before we catch up to you," Det Snr Sgt Wilson said.
"NT detectives will continue to work closely with our federal partners to ensure these offenders are identified and put before the courts."
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.
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.
