A South Australian man is scheduled to appear in Mount Gambier Magistrates Court today (14 October, 2025) charged with alleged online child abuse offences, including possessing sexually explicit material of children.
The South Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (SA JACET) began an investigation in August 2025, after receiving a report about an online user uploading child abuse material.
SA JACET investigators, comprising of officers from the AFP and South Australia Police, linked the man, 41, to the alleged offending.
Investigators located and arrested the man on 1 September, 2025 in a Mount Gambier shopping centre carpark, before executing a search warrant at the man's home, near Mount Gambier.
Investigators located and seized a mobile phone which allegedly contained sexually explicit message exchanges with young victims, as well as child abuse material. The device was seized for further forensic analysis.
The man was charged with:
- One count of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(A) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to a person under 16 years, contrary to section 474.27A of the Criminal Code (Cth)
The maximum penalty for these offences is 15 years' imprisonment.
The man was bailed to appear in court today (14 October, 2025).
AFP Detective Superintendent Melinda Adam said the collaboration and commitment of law enforcement locally, nationally and internationally was critical to protecting children from these horrific crimes.
"This is not a victimless crime. Children should not be used as commodities for the gratification of offenders," D/Supt Adam said.
"The message to offenders could not be clearer - the AFP and its law enforcement partners work tirelessly to keep children safe. If you engage in these horrific activities, you will be found, charged and prosecuted."
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.
