Two brothers from Central Queensland are expected to face Gladstone Magistrates Court today (23 January, 2026) charged with child abuse material offences.
The AFP began an investigation after the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from the United States National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about an online user uploading child abuse material on social media platforms.
AFP investigators allegedly linked the Gladstone men, aged 26 and 19, to the illegal online activity.
A search warrant was executed at a New Auckland, QLD, residence on 11 November, 2025, where investigators located and seized a number of electronic devices, including two mobile phones.
A preliminary examination of the 26-year-old's devices allegedly identified child abuse material, and he was arrested and given police bail to appear in court today, charged with:
- One count possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- One count accessing child abuse material using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22 (1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
No charges were laid against the 19-year-old man at the time of the warrant, however a subsequent examination of his social media accounts revealed he had allegedly sent child abuse material to another party via an online chat account.
He was arrested on 15 January, 2026, and was charged with:
- Two counts possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- One count accessing child abuse material using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22 (1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- Two counts transmitting child abuse material using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22 (1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
These offences each carry a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Kurt Wesche said the AFP, together with its state and territory law enforcement partners, remained committed to protecting our community's most vulnerable - our children.
"Anyone who views child abuse material is committing a crime,'' Det A/Supt Wesche said.
"Our message to online offenders has not changed - if you procure, access, or transmit child abuse material, you will be found, arrested and prosecuted.
"Children are not commodities to be used for the abhorrent gratification of sexual predators, and we will continue to target those who seek to exploit children."
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 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.
