A Karratha man has been summonsed to appear before Karratha Magistrates Court today (24 June, 2025) to face charges of allegedly possessing, transmitting and accessing child abuse material.
An AFP investigation into the man, 21, began after he arrived on an international flight into Perth Airport on Monday, 26 May, 2025.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers selected the man for a baggage examination on his arrival and allegedly located child abuse material on a mobile device belonging to the man.
The man's mobile device was seized for forensic examination.
After further investigation, the AFP charged the man with three online child abuse offences and issued him with a court summons to appear in court today.
The man was charged with:
- One count of possessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of using a carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The maximum penalty for each offence is 15 years' imprisonment.
AFP Inspector Shona Davis said the AFP was committed to protecting children and prosecuting those who harmed them.
"Every child deserves to feel safe and the AFP and its partners are committed to protecting children in our community," Insp Davis said.
"If you take part in this abhorrent trade, know that everything you do online leaves a trace.
"The AFP is working tirelessly to protect children and stop anyone involved in their exploitation or abuse."
ABF Superintendent Vesna Gavranich said airport screening is an indispensable tool to stop the spread of abhorrent material in our community.
"ABF officers are trained to screen individuals and identify those who may pose a risk to some of the most vulnerable members of our community," Supt Gavranich said.
"As Australia's only border security agency, we use everything in our power to detect criminals abusing children and ensure they face the full legal consequences of their actions.
"The work we do at Australia's border and beyond makes this country a safer place, and in this case, has stopped the cycle of abuse against these children."
If you have information that could help law enforcement, report it to the Australia Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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 on the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
