An Ocean Reef man is expected to appear in Perth Magistrates Court today (18 July, 2025) on two charges for allegedly possessing and transmitting videos depicting child abuse.
The Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET) charged the man, 53, after an investigation that started when he was allegedly identified during a separate WA Police Force investigation into people communicating online about sexually abusing and exploiting children.
Police allegedly linked the man to the illegal online activity and executed a search warrant at his Ocean Reef home in April, 2025, where investigators seized his mobile phone for examination.
A review of the device allegedly revealed child abuse material, as well as records of recent searches for websites that had content of young girls.
The man was summonsed to face court today on:
- One count of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A(1)(iii) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of using a carriage service to possess or control child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal code (Cth).
The maximum penalty for each offence is 15 years' imprisonment.
WA JACET is comprised of AFP and WAPF members.
AFP acting Inspector Scott Caulfield said the AFP and its partners were dedicated to fighting child sexual abuse and exploitation and bringing to justice anyone involved in these crimes.
"Everything done online leaves a trace and we are working to identify anyone involved in the harm of children," a/Insp Caulfield said.
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the AFP-led 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.
