A Queensland man has been sentenced by the Brisbane Supreme Court to 15 years' imprisonment for multiple child abuse offences.
The North Lakes man, 45, was sentenced on 1 April, 2026, and ordered to serve a minimum term of seven years and six months' imprisonment.
The AFP started an investigation after the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a referral from United States Federal Bureau of Investigations about an Australian-based person sending and receiving sexually explicit online content involving a child.
The content included information indicating the man was sexually abusing a child.
In June, 2024, the AFP linked the North Lakes man to an online account connected to the offending. Later that night, the AFP and Queensland Police Service Taskforce Argos located and arrested the man and also executed a search warrant at his home.
Police seized a mobile phone and other electronic devices. Forensic examination of the devices revealed child abuse material and evidence the man had live streamed himself abusing a child, which he shared with other offenders via encrypted chat platforms.
The man pleaded guilty to seven offences:
- One count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.23 of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of indecent treatment of a child under 16, contrary to section 210 of the Criminal Code (Qld) 1899;
- Two counts of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22 of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of using a carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted to himself, contrary to section 474.221a(ii) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)a(ii) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of using a carriage service for sexual activity with a person under 16 years of age, contrary to section 474.25A(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The man was sentenced to a combined 48 years' imprisonment for the seven offences with a head sentence of 15 years. The sentences are to be served concurrently.
At the time of his arrest, he was also charged with domestic violence offences by Queensland Police - these matters remain before the court.
AFP Commander Joanne Cameron said police prioritised any matters involving physical sexual offending against children to end the harm to those children and bring those responsible to justice.
"Children are among the most vulnerable members of our community and law enforcement work tirelessly to pursue offenders who prey on that innocence for their own sexual gratification," Commander Cameron said.
"Police are sophisticated in our detection methods, if you are going online to transmit, view or possess child abuse material, you will be identified, and you will be caught."
Detective Acting Inspector Les Lucas from the Queensland Police Service Taskforce Argos said the result was a strong outcome for law enforcement and the wider community.
"This sentence highlights the importance of collaboration between the Queensland Police Service, the Australian Federal Police and our national partners in targeting high harm offenders," Det A/Insp Lucas said.
"Police are committed to identifying and prosecuting those involved in the exploitation of children, regardless of the platforms they use.
"Our investigators work tirelessly to ensure offenders are brought before the courts and children are protected from harm."
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.
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.
