A tip-off from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about an Australian internet user allegedly trading child abuse material online has resulted in the arrest of a 41-year-old Sydney man.
The FBI reported the matter to the Australian Federal Police-led (AFP) Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) in October 2020.
The AFP commenced an investigation into the internet user believed to be trading videos and images of children on a social media platform. The investigation led the officers to a 41-year-old man residing in Kirrawee, NSW.
AFP investigators executed a search warrant yesterday (29 January 2021) at the man's residence.
The 41-year-old Kirrawee man was arrested and charged with;
- Possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
- Use a carriage service to solicit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iv) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
- Use a carriage service to transmit, make available, publish, distribute, advertise or promote material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
- Aggravated offence of using carriage service to transmit child abuse material on 3 or more separate occasions involving 2 or more people, contrary to section 474.24A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
The man expected to appear before Parramatta Local Court today (30 January 2021).
The potential maximum penalty for these offences are 15 years imprisonment, and 25 years imprisonment for the aggravated offence.
"This investigation shows that the AFP and our international counterparts are working closely to tackle the rising global issue of child exploitation," he said.
"No one country can combat this borderless crime alone, which is why our international partnerships are crucial for law enforcement to not only identify the individuals and groups producing and sharing this abhorrent material, but to remove these vulnerable children from further harm."
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available, visit to learn more www.accce.gov.au/support
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at ThinkUKnow, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation: www.thinkuknow.org.au
