Two Sydney men are scheduled to face Parramatta Local Court today (23 May, 2025) charged with allegedly possessing child abuse material. One of the men allegedly had material which included images, videos and discussions about torturing and engaging in sexual activity with children.
The AFP started an investigation in February, 2025, after receiving a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about an Australian social media user discussing child abuse with other users.
The AFP allegedly linked a Parramatta man, 58, to the conversations and executed a search warrant at his home yesterday (22 May, 2025).
Multiple devices were seized during the search, including some belonging to another man, 27, living at the house.
The AFP alleges devices belonging to the 58-year-old man contained child abuse material, including some depicting torture as well as fantasy conversations about abusing children.
Searches of the 27-year-old man's devices allegedly found messages about child abuse.
The 58-year-old man was charged with:
Seven counts of use a carriage service to transmit, make available, publish, distribute or promote child abuse material, contrary to Section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment; and
Two counts of produce, disseminate or possess child abuse material, contrary to section 91H of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.
The 27-year-old man was charged with:
One count of use carriage service to transmit, make available, publish, distribute or promote child abuse material, contrary to Section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment; and
One count of use carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted to self, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(ii) of the Criminal Code (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Glen Evans said graphic discussions about child abuse were abhorrent and illegal.
"Sharing child abuse material, including online discussions about the torture and abuse of children, is a criminal offence," Det a/Insp Glen Evans said.
"When we find evidence on people's devices that they have allegedly been engaging in these vile conversations, we will not hesitate to charge them.
"Predators think they can lurk behind their screen, but every interaction is traceable and they will be caught and put before the courts. Our investigations into this matter will continue.
"Our message to offenders is clear - if you engage in online child exploitation, you will be apprehended and prosecuted."
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation 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 at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
