A Quinns Rocks man who solicited sexually explicit images and videos from two victims has been sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment by the Perth District Court.
The man, 23, was sentenced yesterday (6 May, 2025) after previously pleading guilty to eight offences and must serve a non-parole period of eight months before being released on a recognisance order.
An investigation began in May, 2024, when Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Perth Airport inspected the man's baggage after he returned to Australia from an international trip.
They located child abuse material on the man's mobile phone and immediately reported it to the AFP. The AFP examined the device and found 28 videos of children being sexually abused.
Later that day, the Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET), comprising officers from the AFP and Western Australia Police Force, executed a search warrant at the man's Quinns Rocks home. They seized another mobile phone belonging to the man, which contained 105 videos, including footage showing young children being sexually abused.
Police investigations also identified the man had posed as a female on a social media platform to solicit two videos from one child and paid an overseas offender $50 in an attempt to solicit sexual content from another child.
As part of the investigation, the AFP was able to identify both children and check on their welfare.
The man pleaded guilty to the following charges:
Two counts of possessing child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth);
Three counts of transmitting child abuse material using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
One count of causing child abuse material to be transmitted using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(ii) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
One offence of using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iv) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
AFP Inspector Shona Davis urged parents and carers to talk to children about their online activities and who they were interacting with.
"Remind children not to provide personal information to anyone they do not know in real life and not share intimate images or videos online because those could be shared with other people," Insp Davis said.
"If you are concerned about the possibility that your child, or a child you know, is at risk, it's important you act on it.
"However, please remind children it is never their fault if they are targeted online - these offenders can be manipulative and cruel.
"If you become aware your child is a victim, retain screenshots of the chats as evidence and report the offending to police as soon as possible.
"The AFP and our partners take these reports seriously and we are working tirelessly to protect children and identify and prosecute anyone who exploits or harms them."
ABF Acting Superintendent Dean Simpson said ABF officers worked tirelessly at the border to disrupt the efforts of travellers possessing and attempting to import child abuse material.
"The creation, sharing and possession of child abuse material has a profound and long-lasting impact on the lives of victimised children and their families," a/Supt Simpson said.
"Our message to those who may be tempted to engage in this abhorrent activity is simple. Together with our partners we will use everything in our powers to detect it, and you will face the full legal consequences for your actions."
If you have information that could help law enforcement, report it to the Australia Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), or to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. 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.
